All good things must come to an end – and that includes glorious things like Goodwood’s five-day feast of fab flat racing.
On Saturday afternoon the curtain comes crashing down for another year on the famous festival, but before you put the Pimms and cucumber sandwiches away til next summer there’s a day of top-notch action on the turf to enjoy.
And to guide you through it all we’ve assembled our top team of pundits – Matt Chapman, Jason Weaver, Rory Delargy, Mick Fitzgerald and Timeform – who are ready and raring to go for the day’s biggest races.
The action includes the Stewards Cup at 3.35pm for the 6f speedsters after the runners have slugged it out over the 1m 6f Summer Stakes at 2.25pm and the Lily Langtry Stakes at 3pm. ITV have even thrown two races from Newmarket into the bargain. Huzzah!
So tap or scroll down through the races below to see who our pundits fancy – or click here for our fancy Glorious Goodwood Saturday Cheat Sheet if you fancy a PDF version to print or share with yer mates.
13:50 Goodwood Glorious Stakes
A huge chance for PHANTOM FLIGHT to show his Newbury victory at 16-1 was no fluke. That was last time when he beat re-opposing Al Aasy by a length and while many will fancy the latter to reverse the form I suspect Phantom Flight can get first run again.
PHANTOM FLIGHT looks like he could well improve again for the return to 12 furlongs, it looks a strong possibility that the team have found the key to him.
William Haggas’ runner AL AASY should turn the form around with Phantom Flight. Not a race I’d be going mad on, but Al Aasy is the most likely winner.
AIMERIC has returned an improved performer, going close at Newmarket five weeks ago and gets the vote up in class in a trappy Group 3.
AL AASY should come on a bundle for his seasonal debut at Newbury when second to Phantom Flight who reopposes. It’s a small but open Group 3 race and Al Aasy can get his revenge.
14:05 Newmarket 6f Nursery Handicap
GHOST RUN (each-way) kept on really well to score at Newbury last time and goes handicapping off a mark of 81.
There is every reason to think GHOST RUN (each-way) can step up on her victory last time at Newbury where she managed to make all and held on in gutsy fashion.
GRISELDA is firmly on the up and is worth a chance to complete the four-timer on the back of another emphatic display at Thirsk.
14:25 Goodwood Summer Handicap
I like TRUE LEGEND eachway for Sir Mark Prescott and Luke Morris. My hope has been consistent without winning of late but he stays very well and ran a cracker at Newcastle two runs ago when fifth in the Plate behind Onesmoothoperator. True Legend has Goodwood form and will be very hard to kick out the frame.
I’d expect DANCING IN PARIS (each-way) to sit a touch handier to the leaders this time over this trip as he wasn’t suited by the ‘sit and sprint’ tactics last time.
I’ll side with FORZA ORTA who wears cheekpieces for the first time. He’s run well in the Chester Cup and the Northumberland Plate and the drop back from two miles to 1m 6f should suit him off a mark of 86. Hopefully, things click into place for him now or next time at York.
Several of these boast progressive profiles, with FAIRBANKS just about the most appealing of the lot given he was value for extra having impressed with how he put a seal on matters at Newmarket 3 weeks ago.
A big field for this 1m 6f handicap and plenty have chances. MR FREEDOM could represent a bit of value (each-way) having won at Sandown over this trip last time. He won at this track last month over 1m 4f and despite getting a 5lb penalty for his Sandown victory, could still have some wriggle room in his handicap mark of 85.
14:40 Newmarket Chalice Stakes
DIVINA GRACE has a few lbs to find with some of these but Rae Guest has a knack with fillies and he might just get a decent effort here. An each-way poke.
PLACE OF SAFETY looked very professional in her dominant display at Kempton last time, striding away in the closing stages when realising what was required. She is sure to improve from that run.
Three-year-olds have dominated this listed race and the improving FAIRY GLEN could take the step up in class in her stride after her impressive Kempton novice success.
15:00 Goodwood Lillie Langtry Stakes
This should be perfect for CAIUS CHORISTER who gets a new jockey in Harry Bentley for David Menuisier. I never fancied her to stay the Ascot Gold Cup trip and she didn’t, but her seconds at Ascot and Sandown this term have been very fair performances.
MELO MELO has continued to impress with her attitude under very different conditions. A likely improver now trying much quicker conditions for the first time.
One who may step up is SWEET MEMORIES. She was fourth on seasonal debut at Royal Ascot and should step forward for fitness from that run. She’s a decent each-way price.
FREE WIND was no match for Bluestocking on her reappearance back in May, but there’s no disgrace in that and, with conditions very much in her favour, she has to be considered the one to beat judged on the pick of her form. Melo Melo will be a big threat if returning to her best.
The Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes has attracted a couple of capable Irish raiders but FREE WIND can repel them. She was second to Bluestocking last time when starting favourite at York on her seasonal bow. The better the ground the better her chance.
15:35 Goodwood Stewards Cup
BILLYJOH (each-way) is going to need some luck and has a second run this week, but he’s on a mark of 95 that he can win this off.
RAMAZAN (each-way) has quite a bit of strong form in heritage handicaps over this trip including an excellent second in the Ayr Gold Cup last season. The drop in trip again to 6f now and the removal of the visor – which has made him far too aggressive in his last couple of races – will help his cause.
The 6f Stewards’ Cup is one of the big betting races of the day. ALBASHEER carries a 6lb penalty for his Ascot win last weekend and that tempers my enthusiasm even though I’ve backed him ante-post for this. The X O has a long losing sequence but may appreciate a strongly-run 6f that is on offer here. He looks an each-way player at a big price.
PUROSANGUE would be running off 4 lb higher had the handicapper been able to reassess him for this after Sandown. With winning form on quicker ground he gets the vote ahead of Wokingham runner-up Dark Trooper.
The Stewards Cup over 6f is one of the highlights of the meeting and while Dark Trooper has his chance, he doesn’t represent great value. BILLYJOH has got the cheekpieces on for the first time and that may help him improve. On some of his best form he should be hitting the places and maybe the headgear will help bring out that little bit more as he also drops down in trip.
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Publish date : 2024-08-03 14:38:56
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