Great Scot!
Black-type will be flying around Goodwood like confetti, on Friday, as there are no less than 4 Group contests on the card. The G3 Glorious Stakes (2.00) is another chance for Charlie Appleby’s Scottish to impress. The Teofilo gelding already has a couple of Listed wins under his belt. Kins Fete, Mount Logan and Ayrad look to be the principle threats.
Can Buratino Bounce Back?
The G3 Thoroughbred Stakes is at 2.35, a 1m encounter for 3-year-olds. Mick Channon’s Malabar won in 2015. Buratino has been out of form, in this campaign so far, but looks the value here as an each-way angle. Mark Johnston’s Exceed And Excel colt won the G2 Coventry Stakes, in 2015. The race appears to have been cursed, as runner-up Air Force Blue has also endured a torrid time in his Classic campaign, but bad horses simply don’t win races of that calibre (Henrythenavigator, Canford Cliffs, Dawn Approach and War Command are amongst the thoroughbreds to have triumphed, in the last decade) and it’s too early to write off Buratino yet.
Muthmir The Master, Once More?
A very competitive renewal of the G2 King George Stakes will be held at 3.45. Last season’s winner, Muthmir, will be looking to land the spoils once more. The Invincible Spirit gelding must overcome challenges from Marsha, Easton Angel, Goldream and Cotai Glory. This could well be the race of the day.
Besharah Can Chop Down Oak Tree Rival
The last of the quartet is the G3 Oak Tree Stakes, a 7f contest for fillies. It’s hard to see beyond the 2 market leaders, Besharah and Always Smile and Besharah would appear to have a slight edge. She won a pair of Group races as a juvenile and 2nd place in the G3 York Summer Stakes, earlier this month, showed that she is coming back into form.
The big race at Galway is the Guinness Handicap (6.50), which will feature the likes of Ringside Humour, La Vagabond and Queen Alphabet. Dermot Weld’s Alveena won the Cork Derby, last month and has an excellent chance.
Friday’s Picks
GOODWOOD
2.00 Scottish
2.35 Buratino
3.10 Franklin D
3.45 Muthmir
4.20 Naafer
4.55 Besharah
5.30 Isharah
GALWAY
5.10 Chatham House Rule
5.45 Epitaph
6.15 Waaheb
6.50 Alveena
7.25 Zafayan
8.00 Three Majors
8.30 Zulu Alpha
BANGOR
1.40 Angel Face
2.10 Stynes
2.45 Degooch
3.20 One More Go
3.55 Oscatara
4.30 Courtlands Prince
5.00 Who Am I
BATH
6.00 Zaatar
6.35 Urban Space
7.10 Singeur
7.45 Lady Blanco
8.15 Red Tea
8.45 Swanton Blue
MUSSELBURGH
5.40 Love Marmalade
6.10 Lucky Esteem
6.45 Chaplin Bay
7.20 Desert Ace
7.55 Reckless Serenade
8.25 Henpecked
8.55 Summer Isles
NEWMARKET
5.20 Poplar
5.50 Always Summer
6.25 Monoshka
7.00 Erhaaf
7.35 Baltic Brave
8.05 In The City
8.35 Exceeding Power
THIRSK
1.50 Shadow Wing
2.20 Snuggy
2.55 Tan Arabiq
3.30 Magical Effect
4.05 Naadirr
4.40 Becky The Thatcher
5.15 Bold Spirit
