Racing

Glorious Goodwood day three tips: Magic Wand set to shine

 

13.10 – Handicap – 5f 

A competitive field assembled for this sprint race to start proceedings. CASPIAN QUEEN has strong form in the book and was desperately unlucky over C&D two starts ago when beaten just a “neck” by Electric Ladyland. With a clear run, she undoubtedly would have won having been squeezed out of things at the start and was initially given too much to do. She wasn’t suited by the return to six furlongs last time out so the drop back in trip looks more favourable and with Ryan Moore on board she must have strong claims of gaining her revenge on the top-weight.

SHOW ME SHOW ME looks very well-treated here back at the scene of her career-best performance when third in a Group 3 behind Liberty Beach over C&D. That’s the strongest form in the race and she’s been keeping much stronger company since. If she can break from the stalls cleanly, she has a chance. The same can be applied to HAND ON MY HEART who has been highly tried since winning a class 2 event on debut and she could go well at a price dropping down in class given Clive Cox and Adam Kirby do very well with sprinters.

Selections: CASPIAN QUEEN, SHOW ME SHOW ME, HAND ON MY HEART 

 

13.45 – Handicap – 1m1f 

My best bet of the week is the Hughie Morrison-trained STARCAT with Oisin Murphy booked to ride. He was an impressive winner on debut at Kempton and exceeded market expectations of 80/1 in the 2000 Guineas when running a blinder to finish 7th of 15 runners behind the likes of Kameko, Wichita and Pinatubo. It should be acknowledged that he was drawn on the wrong side that day in stall 4 compared to the winner. He held every chance at the two furlong pole when up with the pace fighting for a top-three finish only to be hampered and short of room inside the final furlong, but to his ultimate credit, he stuck to the task in determined fashion.

Evidently, he might well have finished closer otherwise and you can put a line through his run at Royal Ascot when again drawn on the wrong side under soft conditions which didn’t suit. Having said that, Starcat is finally drawn much better this afternoon and the forecast ease in the ground will suit him well. The handicapper has left him alone on a mark of 94, therefore, I’m pretty confident his class will prove decisive. I am surprised to see this one available at such a big price at 10/1 general because I think he’s got an excellent chance of taking top honours and is my best each-way bet of the entire meeting.

Of the rest, ZABEEL CHAMPION and BRIGHT MELODY have strong claims of running a big race. Mark Johnston’s three-year-old has won his last two and has the presence of Ryan Moore in the saddle. Meanwhile, Charlie Appleby’s team-member was turned over in France recently, but he’s got time on his side and is expected to be in the mix.

Selections: STARCAT, ZABEEL CHAMPION, BRIGHT MELODY

 

14.15 – Richmond Stakes – 6f 

Another cracking renewal of the Richmond Stakes and I’m happy to go double-handed in the race with two very talented individuals.

I think LAUDED has an excellent chance of winning this race for the Richard Kingscote and Tom Dascombe combination. I am surprised to see this one available at such a big price as I had him firmly in my tracker after his eye-catching seventh in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. He ran a good deal better than his finishing effort indicated having eased into the lead on the bridle when the rest of the field were under pressure including Quaader at the two furlong pole.

At this point you thought how far Lauded was going to win by, but unfortunately, he couldn’t pick up in the final half furlong having looked the clear winner to that point. Perhaps, the stiff finish caught him out that day or indeed his inexperience from being alone for so long in stall 1 down the near-side, but he’s drawn lovely in stall 1 for today’s race and I rank him among one of my best each-way bets of the week.

The other one I want on side is the William Haggas-trained YAZAMAN who has lost nothing in defeat when touched off my Tactical at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle and in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket. With that rival out of the picture this time around, he’s been found a decent opportunity to go one better given the quicker ground will suit him much better than the good to soft he encountered last time out along with bringing arguably the strongest form into the race.

Selections: YAZAMAN, LAUDED 

 

14.45 – Gordon Stakes – 1m3f

English King is expected to start favourite here, but I’m inclined to believe MOGUL will gain his revenge on Ed Walker’s runner over this slightly less emphasis on stamina compared to when the pair clashed over 1m4f in the Epsom Derby. In fact, Mogul was going best of the two the whole way around Epsom and was still in front of English King until the final 150 yards which indicates a reverse in form could happen here. I can envisage this track playing more to Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old strengths who travels strongly, and having cost such a huge amount of money as a youngster, this looks an ideal opportunity for Mogul to start paying his way for connections who have held him in the highest-regard for a long time.

I was surprised to see KHALIFA SAT available at 9/2 general for this race. He finished in front of Mogul and English King in the Epsom Derby when second at 50/1. I don’t think there was any fluke about that performance given he stayed on all the way to the line having been up there with the pace and those in behind had every chance to go by him which didn’t happen. I strongly suspect this track suits him better having won both starts here previously, showing a tenacious attitude each time. I feel as though the bookmakers have underestimated him here and I think he’s got an excellent chance of proving that Epsom run to be no fluke. On the face of it, he must come under consideration with Tom Marquand retaining the ride.

Selections: MOGUL, KHALIFA SAT 

 

15.15 – Nassau Fillies’ Stakes – 1m1f 

Another typically high-class renewal of the Group 1 Nassau Stakes and I’m quite keen on two horses in particular.

Ryan Moore has decided to ride Fancy Blue but I think he might have made the wrong decision in favour of the Aidan O’Brien-trained MAGIC WAND who has bags of top-class experience to her name. Considering she’s only 5-years old, this reliable mare has been all over the world competing in major Group 1’s and has finished runner-up EIGHT times at the highest level in races like the Champion Stakes, Hong Kong Cup, Arlington Million and many more. I am surprised she’s never won a race at the highest level because her consistency at this level is second to none.

The daughter of Galileo deservedly got back to winning ways a couple of starts ago when winning a Group 2 at the Curragh before only getting beaten four lengths in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown behind Ghaiyyath, Enable and Japan. Indeed, that is by far the strongest piece of form compared to what the rest of today’s opposition have achieved. The booking of Frankie Dettori is no negative and this is a cracking chance for her to gain a much-deserved first Group 1 success, especially now back against her own sex which can only enhance her chance.

John Gosden’s filly NAZEEF has won her last six races, including the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes last time out when overcoming the soft ground to get the better of dual Group 1 winner Billesdon Brook. She’s proved to be effective under all types of conditions and is the obvious threat to her market rivals. We haven’t seen the best of her yet, meaning she has another good chance of extending her winning sequence and making it 4/4 this year.

Selections: MAGIC WAND, NAZEEF 

 

15.45 – Nursery – 7f 

Not a race I’d normally get involved with but there is plenty going for the favourite WILLIAM BLIGH despite having to give weight away to all rivals. The stable and rider are in good form so he’s got obvious claims of following up his haydock success. On the other hand, I think ROMMEL has a decent each-way chance at double-digits. He could only finish fifth at Ascot last time but has the scope to do better with Tom Marquand on board for the Mick Channon team.

Selections: WILLIAM BLIGH, ROMMEL

 

You’ve read my Glorious Goodwood day three tips now join my Syndicate.

 

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