9 minutes Here are my predictions across all of Wednesday's races at Goodwood.
1:20 Goodwood
Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
SING US A SONG - 9/4
Sing Us A Song is taken to confirm the promise he showed earlier this season, with his Royal Ascot run best overlooked. He was slow from the gates that day and never really got into a rhythm, but still made up good late ground to finish just three lengths behind the winner in ninth. That effort came off the back of an impressive win at Sandown where he dominated from the front and looked a colt firmly on the upgrade. Today’s smaller field should allow him to settle and get into a better rhythm and the return to Goodwood, the scene of his debut win, is another positive. He looks fairly treated off 92 and is expected to take a big step forward now that he gets a second try at this trip with a clean break.
Omni Man was fifth in that same Royal Ascot race and continues to improve, though he’ll need to settle better here. Sudu looked a different proposition when bolting up at Epsom and could still be ahead of the handicapper despite an 11lbs rise, while Kurakka is another to consider stepping back up in trip.
Verdict: SING US A SONG shaped far better than the bare result at Ascot and looks capable of resuming his progression under James Doyle. Sudu is a danger if backing up that Epsom win, while Omni Man remains with upside in this grade.
1:55 Goodwood
HKJC World Pool Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares)
BRIGHT THUNDER - 8/1
Bright Thunder is lightly raced for a four-year-old and arrives here on an upward curve. She landed a Listed prize at Deauville last time out with authority and prior to that she was second in a Group 3 at Epsom over 8.5f, form that puts her firmly in the mix for this. She has yet to race on ground quicker than good, which is a slight question mark, but her versatility across turf and soft going in France and Britain suggests she can adapt. She’s drawn wide in stall 12, but with a long straight at Goodwood over this trip, that might not be a huge disadvantage, especially if she can slot in behind the pace early. Sam James keeps the ride and knows her well and with fillies often improving with age and experience, Bright Thunder looks well worth a shot now back at this Group 3 level.
Verdict: BRIGHT THUNDER brings steadily progressive Group-level form to the table and looks capable of taking the next step up the ladder. Tabiti is a worthy favourite after her Royal Ascot effort and Jabaara commands respect after being demoted in this race last year. Romantic Style and Cloud Cover are others with claims, but the selection has both scope and recent winning form in her corner.
2:30 Goodwood
HKJC World Pool Molecomb Stakes (Group 3)
LADY IMAN - 6/4
Lady Iman brings standout juvenile form into this Group 3 and looks the one to beat back over the minimum trip. She announced herself as a top-class prospect when defeating subsequent Group 2 winners in Listed and Group 3 company earlier this summer, including a commanding victory at Naas. Things didn’t go her way last time at the Curragh when stepped up to 6f in a Group 2 as she travelled powerfully but was ultimately outstayed by a very smart Ballydoyle filly. Back down to 5f, with Ryan Moore booked and ground in her favour, she sets the standard. Her tactical speed and racecraft should be well suited to the demands of Goodwood and the 3lbs penalty may not be enough to stop her.
Military Code was below par in the Coventry, but his form at 5f is strong, especially his Listed second behind a filly who ran a huge race in the Princess Margaret. Ameeq ran a screamer at 100/1 when fourth in the Norfolk and should ensure a strong early pace. Dickensian was best of the far side in the Windsor Castle and might improve for the track, while Argentine Tango brings solid Group 2 fillies’ form to the table and won’t be far away if things fall right.
Verdict: LADY IMAN brings high-end Group form and a strong turn of foot back to her ideal trip and will be tough to peg back if in the same mood as her Naas win. Military Code and Ameeq look the chief threats in a deep renewal.
3:05 Goodwood
Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1)
FIELD OF GOLD - 4/11
Field Of Gold has looked every inch a champion miler in the making and can continue his unbeaten run for the season in this year’s Sussex Stakes. A shade unlucky in the 2000 Guineas when repeatedly denied a clear run, he has since made amends with impressive wins in both the Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes, performances that echo the same brilliance his sire Kingman displayed when winning this race in 2014. That Royal Ascot win was backed up by a huge RPR of 126, eclipsing anything his rivals have achieved and with the promise of a solid pace courtesy of pacemakers Qirat and possibly Serengeti, he’s expected to be seen to even better effect here. He has tactical speed, a devastating turn of foot and is clearly still improving.
Rosallion has finished second to Field Of Gold in two of their three clashes and will again be a major threat. He was narrowly denied in a steadily run Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and will relish the likely stronger tempo. Henri Matisse is consistent and talented, having landed the French 2000 Guineas earlier this season, but couldn’t live with the selection at Ascot and needs to find something extra. Docklands ran a huge race to beat Rosallion at the Royal meeting but seems best suited to Ascot, while Carl Spackler is an unknown quantity on this side of the Atlantic and may come forward from his Queen Anne effort.
Verdict: FIELD OF GOLD has proven himself a superstar three-year-old miler and can take down his elders with another authoritative performance. Rosallion is the likeliest to chase him home again, while Henri Matisse should be in the mix for minor honours.
3:45 Goodwood
British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap
ASHARIBA - 8/1
Ashariba took a big step back in the right direction at Newcastle last time and looks poised for another bold bid in this valuable fillies’ handicap. A four-time winner last season, she shaped like the best horse in the race when a close fifth on the Tapeta last month, moving up stylishly before being collared late. That performance hinted she’s coming back to her peak and returning to turf, where all her runs have come on ground softer than good, shouldn’t be an issue if conditions remain on the easy side. David Menuisier’s filly has a touch of class at this level and has been rated higher in the past. A positive ride from Tom Marquand, who knows her well, could be key to maximising her cruising speed.
Verdict: ASHARIBA looks ready to strike again and brings a solid mix of back-class and recent promise. Model Yuko is open to plenty of improvement on her handicap debut, while Quebella continues to catch the eye with strong late work and is feared most.
4:20 Goodwood
British Stallion Studs EBF Alice Keppel Fillies' Conditions Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race)
LUNA MIA - 15/2
Zelaina and Spicy Marg dominate the market for this 5f fillies' sprint, but it’s Luna Mia who makes most appeal at the prices. She’s yet to win in two starts but has shaped with real promise, including when thrown into Group 2 company last time at the Curragh, where she ran a respectable race behind some classy rivals over six furlongs. The drop to five here looks a good move given her pedigree and racing style and connections reach for first-time blinkers; a sign of intent from a shrewd Irish yard that has enjoyed previous success at Glorious Goodwood. Luna Mia is likely to be sharper for that experience and she could easily take a big step forward in this slightly easier company.
Zelaina has the standout form after blitzing rivals on debut and leading for a long way in the Queen Mary, but she’s short in the betting and faces more early pace pressure this time. Spicy Marg is another with Group form but needs to settle better if she’s to be effective back at the minimum trip.
Verdict: LUNA MIA is open to improvement and could relish this sharper test with blinkers applied. Zelaina sets the standard and will be hard to peg back if getting loose on the front, while Revival Power is a lively outsider returning to a track and trip that should suit far better than Royal Ascot.
4:55 Goodwood
World Pool Bet With The tote Handicap
LEADMAN - 6/1
Leadman arrives at Goodwood on the back of a convincing handicap success at Newmarket and looks well placed to follow up in this strongly-run mile. That latest win came in a 0–85 handicap where he travelled powerfully throughout before asserting inside the final furlong, suggesting he had plenty more to give off his then-mark of 82. A 6lbs rise looks fair, particularly given that the form of that race is already working out well, the fourth-placed horse has since come out and won next time. His profile has steadily improved since being gelded in the spring and the Andrew Balding yard has a fine record at this meeting with progressive three-year-olds. The quick ground will suit and while this turning track presents a different challenge, his tactical versatility should help him settle wherever needed from stall 10. Importantly, the Newmarket win suggested he’s capable of handling the hustle of big-field handicaps, a key asset at Glorious Goodwood and with further progress still to come, he could well rate higher than 88 before the season is out.
Verdict: LEADMAN is an improving three-year-old who impressed with the manner of his Newmarket win and can take another step forward in a race likely to be run to suit. Native Warrior ran a fine race last time and looks the main threat, while Diamondonthehill is a rock-solid each-way option at a double-figure price.
