13:50 – 2m4½f – Coral Goodwood Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)
An extreme distance for this contest. This race has been started by flag for as long as I can remember, but this year stalls will be used. It’s hard to know what impact this will have but there’s a fair run to the first bend so I wouldn’t imagine it will make a huge difference. This race has been dominated by UK-based trainers in the past decade, but there are several big Irish contenders this year.
#3 DEFIANTLY is one of those and ticks plenty of boxes. He finished second in the Ascot Stakes last time out over this sort of distance, only beaten by an improving and unexposed stablemate. I like prominent racers over this course and distance, while he should be well placed, and I think he has more to come.
#7 ALPHONSE LE GRANDE is a regular in this type of race. He’s dropped down to a workable mark now but I think he may find one too good.
#8 BELIEVITANDUCAN is most progressive having won his last three starts, including the Northumberland Vase last time out on synthetics. He’s just as adept on turf and was strong at the line for his most recent win. Buick rides again and he has proven himself on sharp tracks, so a big effort looks in the offing.
#14 ST MAWES has run well here on his last two starts. He had to use himself up a little bit too early last time out with a big wide move and should be seen to better effect off a strong pace here – he’s lightly-raced and has scope to improve again.
#4 VALIANCY is another potential improver. He’s yet to race over further than 14 furlongs so steps up massively in trip here and it’s not impossible he could stay, but it’s not assured either and he’s fairly short in the betting for this now. He ran in snatches a little at Royal Ascot last time so cheekpieces returning – he won in them three back – looks a plus.
#11 HIGHWIND represents Willie Mullins, a trainer who typically excels in these staying handicaps. He’s been better the last twice in cheekpieces and looks a stayer.
14:25 – 1m – HKJC World Pool Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo)
A race that ultimately revolves around #6 TALK OF NEW YORK. He was behind Sussex Stakes 1-2 Bow Echo and Gstaad last time out and looked a high-class colt prior when bolting up at Sandown. He looks much the best in here on ability and ratings and should win if he’s in the same form, although this is reflected in his price.
#4 SABER STRIKE is clearly well regarded and was doing all of his best work at the finish over seven furlongs last time out suggesting he should enjoy stepping up to a mile.
#5 SHAYEM is going the right way and landed a Listed race in good style last time out. He needs more here, however.
#1 ANDAB wasn’t far behind #4 SABER STRIKE at Royal Ascot and actually won the race on his side convincingly. He’s got plenty to find with #6 TALK OF NEW YORK on their form two back but might be able to hit the board.
15:00 – 1m – Coral Golden Mile (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+)
Another huge field and cases can be made for several.
#16 BEAGLE BAY looks a worthy favourite here. He’s an improving 4-year-old who comes here off the back of two wins, the most recent of which was achieved in a good time. I think a 5lb rise for that is very generous and he should get a lovely run around here from stall 1 – the yard could be in slightly better form but he’s very much the one to beat.
#6 INDALO gained a deserved win at Sandown last time out and as a result carries a 3lb penalty. However, he is due to be raised 5lb for that win, so is officially 2lb ahead of the handicapper here. I expect this test to suit him and he’s got a good draw in stall 6 to finish well down the middle.
#1 CERULEAN BAY shaped as though still in form in a Listed race at Pontefract last time out. The small field there wouldn’t have suited him and he should be happier back in handicap company off a good pace, although he will likely need a career best.
#10 SCOVILLE looked a monster early in his career but has struggled to hit those early heights since. He ran a lot better returning to handicaps when well backed in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot last time out, making the running into the wind and finishing 3rd of 20 on his side. He might come on a little for that and forward-going tactics should be much more effective around this easy, turning track.
#2 ARCHIVIST also ran in the Royal Hunt Cup and was the subject of sustained support despite not having run since March. He cut little ice in the end, but is presumably thought capable of much better.
15:35 – 5f – King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+)
A good quality sprint but I’m not sure many have a winning chance. The wind is changing throughout the day and predictions vary, but if there’s no headwind the race would favour speed.
#1 NIGHT RAIDER has a penalty to carry here but he sets a very fair standard and is top-rated by Timeform. He was first on his side last time out at Royal Ascot despite racing into the wind and he’s drawn a nice stall here in 13. He’s tactically versatile and would probably have an even better chance if he could get some cover, although I expect he will lead against the rail.
He’ll face big pace pressure from #3 JAKAJARO, who is an extremely fast horse and only has one way of running. He was run down by closers at the Curragh last time out but had blazed away into the breeze and should relish returning to this sharp five furlongs, particularly if not compromised by a headwind here. He may have the speed to burn them off.
If there is a headwind then it may suit #7 RUMSTAR. He’s got good early pace without being a leader and that should allow him to draft in behind the speed. He’s only got 1lb to find with #1 NIGHT RAIDER on Timeform ratings and an overly strong pace- and a bit of cover – could tip the balance in his favour.
#4 JM JUNGLE won this last year and ran a solid enough race at York last time out. He had #2 AMERICAN AFFAIR, a Group 1 winner last year, behind there and that rival should enjoy rating off this strong pace.
#8 ASFOORA and #15 SPICY MARG have solid Group 1 form but both ran deplorably last time out.
16:10 – 1m1f – Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes (Class 2) (4yo+)
A Conditions event but this is effectively a Stakes race. This doesn’t appeal as a betting medium as many of these are coming into the contest off poor runs.
That comment certainly applies to #9 HAATEM. He’d have a great chance on ratings but failed to beat a rival when attempting to go back-to-back in the Wolferton last time out and has plenty to prove now.
#8 GALEN looks the solid one. He’s top rated by Timeform and the official handicapper and was only just behind #9 HAATEM in the Wolferton last year. He finished well ahead of that rival in this year’s renewal and should run his usual solid race, although he doesn’t win very often.
#1 BOILING POINT does know how to win. He’s got a similar profile to #8 GALEN but has generally been operating at lower levels than that rival. He was a course winner here three back, however, where he narrowly denied #3 NAQEEB.
#2 JONQUIL ran well in the Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland last year and the form of his Ascot win three back has been franked since. He was too keen in the Group 1 Lockinge next time out and again didn’t settle fully in the Summer Mile last time when beating just one rival. He’s another with plenty to prove up in distance, particularly in what may be a steadily run event.
#4 CROWN OF OAKS looked like a most progressive sort at the end of last season but ran very badly on his seasonal debut at the Curragh, failing to beat a rival.
#6 DIVIDEND might be the interesting one at the odds. He ran very well in Group 1 company in Dubai in March and was probably on the worst part of the track when finishing in front of #8 GALEN and #9 HAATEM at Royal Ascot two back. He was reported to have run flat at Sandown last time out when well behind #1 BOILING POINT, but he’s landed the prime draw in stall 1 here and might bounce back if he’s been freshened up.
16:45 – 6f – Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap (Class 2) (2yo)
A wide open juvenile handicap over six furlongs.
#8 DUBAI CHAMPION catches the eye due to the booking of Ryan Moore. He wouldn’t have had many rides for this small Northern yard and this horse has improved with every start so far, clocking a good figure when winning last time out. He should relish this extra distance and is top rated by Timeform, so should go very close.
#9 INNICHEN travelled strongly when scoring at Nottingham last time out, winning despite the pace. He should enjoy settling off a fast pace and still has plenty more to come, so looks the main threat.
#11 PAPER VIEW comes here on a hat-trick having won emphatically just 4-days ago. This’ll be more difficult up in grade and with a penalty.
#1 PERSIAN SPRING couldn’t show his best over five furlongs last time out following a slow start but should be able to get into a better rhythm here.
17:20 – 1m3f – World Pool Bet With The tote Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3) (3yo 0-90)
A competitive affair for unexposed 3-year-olds.
#5 INTO THE LIGHT has a couple of notable pieces of form, having beat Al Azd and finished just a short-head behind Lost Boys, both of whom ran huge at Royal Ascot. #5 INTO THE LIGHT himself could only finish 11th at the meeting, but shaped as though he was still in decent form and won’t mind dropping down in class here.
#4 PIERIAN is another class dropper having tried Stakes company last time out. She could only finish fourth in a Listed race at Longchamp, but the form of that race looks pretty strong and I’d imagine she will be very competitive here off a mark of 88.
#14 ASTRACORNUS continues to improve. He represents a potent trainer and jockey combination and looked ahead of his mark last time out when finishing a nose second. A 1lb rise for that won’t stop him winning races, but he could have been drawn a little but better here; he does have a turn of foot, however.
#10 PARISIAN SCHOLAR ran here two days ago and performed better than the bare result. He stumbled at the start, which meant he was a bit far back, and he faded late on having made a decent wide move, hanging badly as he did so. The experience of the track he gained there should see him run better here and this race is much weaker, while he gets a good gate jockey who should have him well placed.
#12 KENERGY steps up significantly in trip having shaped well in Novices and Maidens over shorter – it’s not impossible he could stay and he’s got a nice low weight.
#9 DEVIL’S PEAK isn’t an easy horse to win with but he travelled strongly last time out and showed a good attitude when asked to knuckle down despite being interfered with.
17:55 – 1m2f – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)
A race dominated by a couple of progressive 3-year-olds, headed by #7 SILVER LAKE. She is bred to be good and represents a top trainer in William Haggas. A winner last time out, she saw that contest out strongly and clocked a good time in the process. She’s clearly top rated here and there should be plenty more to come, so she looks a very worthy favourite.
Her main danger is #6 ROOM FOURTEEN, who has a wicked turn of foot and gets Ryan Moore up. She’s got a few pounds to find on the figures but she’s improving rapidly and her acceleration could prove a potent weapon here.
