Flat racing ~ Friday 29th July

[Stevet1859]

2:35 Goodwood: Tazahum 1pt win 5/1 William Hill Western Aristocat's form has been franked by Strong Suit running well in the Group One Jean Prat at Chantilly and he will be hard to beat, however Tazahum may be worthy of support even though he has to carry a four pound penalty here.Tazahum had been on an upward curve after two wins at Sandown. He then probably went two furlongs too far against Pisco Sour at Royal Ascot even allowing for not getting the best of runs. If the distance was the issue rather than Tazahum's ability, and that would seem reasonable, then he is worth another go here. Sir Michael Stoute has his string in much better form than earlier in the season too.

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Re: Flat racing ~ Friday 29th July 3.10 Goodwood - 0.5pts e/w Pintura @ 22/1 (Bet365) - BOG This does look a top-notch Totesport Mile, but in this type of race I do like to look for value, especially at a track such as Goodwood where favourites can easily be denied a clear passage. On the formbook, it does appear as if Pintura's form is on the decline, but I think he still has a big run in him off this mark. He started the season in red hot form, unfortunate not to get a big handicap win to his name when going close at Newbury and Chester. He was beaten 1/4l and a head respectively, and then ran a cracker off his current mark at York to go down 1 1/4l to the smart St Moritz. Mont Agel and Dance And Dance were 2nd and 3rd with Pintura a close 4th. He was sent off with a live chance for the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, with a starting price of 20/1, but never was given a chance to get involved to be honest. Spencer had him virtually last on the stands side, and he could only stay on into 12th of 28 - not a terrible run in the circumstances and it's probably more difficult to make ground up on a lung-bursting straight course. He was never involved at York last time behind Green Destiny, but that was over 10f which isn't ideal. He was beaten 10l. He has won over 9f in the past, but stamina is stretched in competitive handicaps, especially on a galloping track such as York. I can forgive him the run. He's back to a mile today, and it is a bit of a leap of faith. I'm hoping he's not quite done with yet, and can put in a good effort from a good draw in stall 3. Going round a bend should suit him and he has won at both Epsom and Goodwood in the past so the course holds no fears. David Simcock is coming into good form after a slow start to the season which also offers hope. July is by far his best month so far, with his best results coming more recently in the month. Only small stakes because there is a chance he can bomb again, and it is a hugely competitive race. He's a big price, though, and is capable of running well. 4.50 Goodwood - 2pts win Chachamaidee @ 5/1 (VC) - BOG I think this price is quite generous for a filly with rock solid form in the book. The hood has been applied for her latest two runs and it seems to have got a little bit more out of her, and I think she has a huge chance now. Her runs this year have been excellent, as her first run can be easily excused having probably needed it, and still ran well enough to be 3rd of 11 behind I'm A Dreamer over a trip that probably just stretched her. Her first run with the headgear saw her get her head in front at York when beating Kakatosi by 1 1/2l. Her run in the Windsor Forest stakes at Royal Ascot was also very good. She travelled like a dream in the rear and looked the likely winner before swamped by Lolly For Dolly's surging run up the stands rail. It was still a strong effort and suggested the step back to 7f won't inconvenience her at all. First City was 3rd and has franked the form since and so has the 4th horse, Sajjhaa, so it's working out well, and I think it's the best piece of form in the race today. She's third in on official ratings, but I couldn't take the gamble on Memory, and Maqaasid was well beaten last time in a race which Windsor Forest runners did well in. I think Sir Henry Cecil's filly will take some beating. 5.25 Goodwood - 1pt e/w Bold Bidder @ 12/1 (VC) - BOG I think Kevin Ryan's runner in this 5f sprint is overpriced from a draw allowing him to attack, and in first time blinkers. His running style should suit the track and is drawn against the stands rail. He's been in good form this year, but is a horse who needs quick ground, and that's what he gets today after some weaker efforts on unsuitable ground. After a very respectable return to the track at Doncaster, given the fact he probably needed the run, he only found Ahtoug 3/4l too strong at Chester. A useful horse of Godolphin's. Bold Bidder was then 2nd again, beaten by Barnet Fair at Musselburgh. That horse has run well in some bigger handicaps since. His most recent two starts can safely be ignored in my opinion as they were on ground softer than good. One was a listed event at Ayr won by the smart Margot Did, and then he was beaten 4 1/2l at Chester by Shoshoni Wind. Today conditions are back in his favour and he looks off a mark he's well up to winning off, and I think the blinkers might just focus him a bit more. He should attack from his rail position, and might just be tough to peg back on ground which he'll love.