It’s the final day of Glorious Goodwood which sees Pilaster go for a second consecutive victory in the Lillie Langtry. Mark Johnston’s King Advice has been in tremendous form of late and can win again, while Khaadem can land the Stewards’ Cup for the three-year-olds.
Goodwood
Stewards’ Sprint Handicap
Poyle Vinnie nearly turned back the clock earlier in the week when he just missed out behind Green Power. That run was over five and I’m not convinced the extra furlong will help.
Andrew Balding’s Ballyquin has finished runner-up on both starts since a short break and has gone up a total of four pounds and I think there are better-handicapped horses in the field. Another that falls into the braclet of “could be better-handicapped” is Boy In The Bar who’ll be familiar to many of you. He just held on the last day and may struggle to land back to back victories.
The horse I like is Puds who’s been in a rich vein of form for Richard Hughes which includes runner-up starts over course and distance on her last two starts. She runs off the same mark here and can continue to improve.
Selection: Puds
Summer Handicap
King’s Advice has only been beaten once in eight starts since joining the red hot Mark Johnston yard. He landed a big heritage handicap at Newmarket most recently and should once again go close of seven-pounds higher.
The Charlie Hills trained Bartholomeu Dias ran a huge race when finishing fourth in the Northumberland Stakes. The drop back in trip should suit here and he’s got a good record a the track.
David Elsworth’s horses are coming back to form and although Desert Skyline has to give weight away to all his rivals he should run well.
Selection: King’s Advice
Lillie Langtry Stakes
Pilaster bids for back to back victories in the race but haven’t looked as good in three starts this season. and looks vulnerable.
Enbihaar has gone from strength to strength this season and beat the reopposing Dramatic Queen on her last start in the Lancashire Oaks most recently. There won’t be much between the pair again but over the longer trip, Dramatic Queen might get revenge.
The horse I like is Manuela De Vega who’s attempting this longer trip for the first time having been slightly outpaced in the Irish Oaks. She brings strong form into the race and should go close.
Selection: Manuela De Vega
Stewards’ Cup
There has been some significant support for Justanotherbottle in the build-up to the race and I can see why as Declan Carroll’s inmate was runner-up in the race twelve months ago off four-pounds higher. The booking of James Doyle is positive and he should be right there.
Three-year-olds have won two of the last four renewals of this race and have another live chance with Khaadem who ran in the Commonwealth Cup two starts nack and finished second in the Group 3 Hackwood on his last start. The weight allowance puts him well in here and could be difficult to contain.
David O’Meara runs three in here with Arecibo possibly the best of them. The French-bred gelding finished second in a competitive handicap at Ascot when last seen and will be of interest to many with Frankie in the plate.
Others of note include Cosmic Law, the consistent Spanish City and the well-handicapped Lake Volta.
Selection: Khaadem
Newmarket
Chalice Stakes
Bella Vita has won her last four starts and has a real progressive profile. She’s won by further on each start and will be difficult to stop in her attempt for the five-timer.
Love So Deep represents the Jane Chapple-Hyam yard who have been stabling the Nassau winner Deirdre of late. She ran well in a course and distance listed race recently and should go well.
Brian Meehan’s Spirit Of Appin put in a career-best performance to finish runner-up in the Aphrodite Stakes most recently. Oisin Murphy takes over the reins here and will run well again.
Selection: Bella Vita
EBN Handicap
The old rule of thumb to always back the top horse in a nursery may pay here with Know No Limits. Tom Dascombes filly is already a two-time winner and although she got a nine-pound hike for her latest win she’ll go well.
David Simcock runs the smart Bredenbury who ran respectably in the Duchess of Cambridge behind Raffle Prize. She could be better than these and is worth following.
John Quinn has an excellent record with two-year-olds and runs the thrice-raced Mia Diva here. The step-up in trip can bring about further improvement but it may not be enough to win.
Selection: Bredenbury
