Racing
Tips from the Captain: Two picks who may be too darn good for Too Darn Hot at Goodwood
Syndicate Captain Reakesy has provided us with his analysis of the Glorious Goodwood card on Wednesday to try and tackle the Boosted £10,000 Place 6. He reckons that Too Darn Hot’s life might be made difficult by Circus Maximus and Phoenix Of Spain.
1:50 Goodwood
A race in which one of my favourite horses in training attempts to defend his crown.
Lil Rockerfeller, seen last season going novice chasing before being returned to the more familiar hurdles and a tilt at the Coral Cup at Cheltenham Festival, won this 2 ½ mile contest by a hugely impressive 15 length margin in 2018 but faces a much stiffer task carrying an extra 6lbs. He had plenty in hand, however, and I would expect this versatile gelding to be involved in the finish.
His rival at the top of the market is Dubawi Fifty, who ran a big race in the Northumberland Plate, beaten only a head. His only effort over that distance resulted in another second in the Ascot Stakes. A consistent type, I’d expect him to be in the mix.
The Grand Visir, a son of Frankel, took an Ascot handicap in gritty fashion and can go well again back up to the same trip just 5lbs higher than that win. The last selection is Age of Wisdom who will be receiving weight from most of the field, he won a competitive handicap here in May and appears to be on a fair mark with a line put through his last run on the basis of not enjoying the soft ground, I’ll be hoping for no rain for him.
Selections: Lil Rockerfeller, Dubawi Fifty, The Grand Visir, Age of Wisdom
2:25 Goodwood
A race where I’m happy to take those at the top of the market on and could blow this pool open.
Eminence ran a big race to complete a 1,2,3 for Aidan O’Brien in the King George V Stakes where a number of these were in behind, including Sir Ron Priestly who is vying for favouritism at the top of the market, he’s 4lbs higher now which doesn’t put me off, though it gives Persian Moon, who was fourth by a neck, a chance of form. He’s 5lbs better off here and is included. Desert Icon, a son of Sea The Stars, has a progressive profile and is very lightly raced, he looks ahead of the handicapper here.
I’ll take a chance on Dubai Tradition as my fourth selection who looks to be well treated receiving weight from the field in a very competitive heat.
Selections: Eminence, Persian Moon, Desert Icon, Dubai Tradition
3:00 Goodwood
A Group 3 for two-year-olds, the Molecomb doesn’t look particularly strong to me this year.
The two shorties at the head of the market are Liberty Beach and Maven, both best priced 2/1 at the time of writing. Liberty Beach is 3/4 from her career so far, with her only failing a fourth in the Queen Mary at the Royal meeting, she’s won all of her races well and there’s a lot to like about her.
Maven is a Wesley Ward runner who is unbeaten in two starts including a Group 3 in France, he specialises with juveniles at these shorter trips but I’d still be quite happy to take on a two-year-old coming over from the US, especially on only their third start at a quirky track like Goodwood.
Dr Simpson is of interest after a 7-length victory at Chester despite a wide draw, she beat six rivals to justify favouritism and deserves her place in this stronger event. The last selection is Show Me Show Me who was only beaten a head in the Wetherbys Sprint Stakes last time out by a juvenile claiming a hat-trick who has since gone up ten pounds. He’s been a consistent colt in his first season and can run a big race again for a place at a big price.
Selections: Liberty Beach, Dr Simpson, Show Me Show Me
3:35 Goodwood
The feature race on day 2 of the Goodwood Festival over a mile and the St James’ Palace Stakes winner, Circus Maximus heads the betting. He had Too Darn Hot and Phoenix of Spain in behind that day with the former apparently not quite seeing out the trip, John Gosden’s charge was an impressive winner over 7f next time in a Group 1 at Deauville so he may just be stretched by a mile and I think will find a couple too good again.
Charlie Hills’ Guineas winner however can put that Ascot run behind him, he had Too Darn Hot beaten by three lengths when winning at the Curragh and receives a handy weight allowance as a three-year-old. In a race lacking depth, I’m happy with just the two selections and wouldn’t be surprised to see them pulling clear of the rest.
Selections: Circus Maximus, Phoenix of Spain
4:10 Goodwood
Flippa the Strippa disappointed when I backed her in the Queen Mary at Ascot but she was in the notebook for a reason and this is a much easier task so I’ll keep the faith.
Mighty Spirit has been knocking on the door all season despite failing to get her nose in front. She’s been running amongst better company, including when sixth in the Queen Anne ahead of Flippa the Strippa where both were far from disgraced.
Two again in a race with just two places on offer but these two look clear of the rest.
Selections: Flippa The Strippa, Mighty Spirit
4:45 Goodwood
Another all fillies’ affair and Nearooz makes the most appeal with form that reads 1122 but was only beaten ½ length by Ocala, despite not getting a clear run, and she can overturn that form reopposing. Ocala has every chance of playing her part again but I’m more convinced by others’ chances.
Moll Davis finally broke her duck last time out but that was over 12 furlongs and she may need that far so she is left out in place of Thimbleweed who was once a neck behind Cross Counter in a novices at Sandown. She has two wins over this trip and can put the disappointing run at Ascot behind her here after wind surgery, with plenty of scope for improvement as a lightly raced four-year-old.
Selections: Nearooz, Thimbleweed
