Flat Racing ~ Wednesday (Goodwood Day 2)

[BillyHills]

Glorious Goodwood – Wednesday July 29^th Without doubt the biggest race of the week takes place today, the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at 3.10 is over a mile and we have a decent field assembled despite the withdrawal of Gleneagles due to the ground. Also today we have the Gordon Stakes and the Molecomb Stakes, both Group 3 contests plus one or two handicaps. 2.00: Victoria Racing Club Goodwood Stakes (Class 2 handicap) (2m5f) A real stamina test to start the day off and we have last year’s winner Teak in the line up. He’s more than a stone higher in the weights this time round but has been running well of late and does love Goodwood so I wouldn’t completely rule him out. The top one William Of Orange deserves a win after three solid placed efforts this season including a cracking effort last time at York. He’s also ran well here behind Notarised and if he gets the trip he will go close. Of the others Gavlar is interesting for local trainer William Knight, another who has ran well here. Selection: Teak EW 14/1 Skybet 2.35: Neptune Investment Management Gordon Stakes (Group 3) (1m4f) Sir Michael Stoute took the Gordon Stakes with Snow Sky last year and have a live chance with Disegno here. He’s only won a maiden but a second in the Dee Stakes followed by a fourth at Royal Ascot gives him a solid look. The one to beat is obviously Highland Reel, the O’Brien horse was second in the French Derby and well fancied to win the Irish equivalent but ran below par that day. If he’s back on song I can’t see him being beaten in this company. Medrano and Scottish can fight out the minor places. Selection: Highland Reel 2/1 Paddy Power 3.10: Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1) (1m) Eight runners line up for the big one and we have a very strong favourite in Solow. The French 5yo has won all of his four starts this season including three Group 1 races. His victory in the Queen Anne was more workmanlike than spectacular but he has no more to do here. Cougar Mountain and Night Of Thunder were behind that day and I don’t see why either should reverse the form here although I do reckon the Hannon horse is the one for the forecast on this occasion on this track. Selection: Solow 4/6 888Sport 3.45: Fairmont Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) (5f) A juvenile sprint over the minimum trip and on paper looks a two horse race between King Of Rooks from the Hannon yard and the Irish raider Washington Dc who hails from the powerful Aidan O’Brien stable. O’Brien has never won the Molecomb but has a speedy sort on his hands here with Washington Dc who won the Windsor Castle at Ascot last time. King Of Rooks was only third in the Norfolk, which was a slight disappointment but did look mighty impressive when landing the National Stakes prior to that and is given another chance. The Dascombe team think a lot of Kachy who bolted up on his debut and may be best of the rest. Selection: King Of Rooks 7/4 William Hill 4.20: Markel Insurance Fillies’ Maiden Stakes (6f) The usual Goodwood maiden race which gives everyone a breather. A tricky Fillies contest this time and of those with form we should concentrate on the Hannon filly Winter Rose. She was a decent third to Salvo at Newmarket and sets a fair standard for the race. Of the newcomers Silent Dreamer comes from a yard full of decent 2yo’s and the Godolphin camp send out Promising Run who will want further in time. Selection: Winter Rose SP Stan James 4.55: EBF Stallions Veuve Cliquot Fillies’ Stakes (Class 3 handicap) (1m1f) 16 runners line up here for a very competitive handicap and we have five last time out winners in the field. Tears Of The Sun heads the weights after her win at Windsor last month but would prefer a sounder surface. Lady Marl also has been winning at Windsor but now faces a much stiffer task after a 7lb hike in the weights for her two victories. The 3yo’s Edge Of Heaven and Hala Madrid are both in good form but a chance is taken with Only Joking who wont mind the conditions and has improved since we last saw her on turf and could be well handicapped. Selection: Only Joking EW 11/1 Bet365 5.25: Nat West Stakes (Class 3 handicap) A right puzzle to finish off the card on day two. Last years race went to the Simcock yard and they saddle Can’t Change It, he would need a return to form to figure here. The old boy Pastoral Player is always liable to pop in when you least expect it and I wouldn’t rule him out of it at a decent price while Beach Bar will attempt to make all and repeat his victory at Ffos Las for William Knight. C/D winner Fiftyshadesofgrey has a wide draw but if he can get tucked in he could be dangerous late on in a wide open contest. Selection: Fiftyshadesofgrey EW 10/1 Bet365 https://www.punterslounge.com/goodwood-betting-sussex-stakes-at-the-mercy-of-the-french

[andymac]

2.00 Gavlar 2.35 Scottish 3.10 Arod 3.45 Rouleau 4.20 Dawreya 4.55 Forest Maiden 5.25 Accession