Yesterday’s Review

No Selections

Today’s Advice

Glorious Goodwood Day 2 (Wednesday)

INFRAAD (11f 218y Hcap) – Two contestants originally took my interest in the (1.50) Goodwood in the shape of Hatteen and the selection. Unfortunately, the price quickly went on the former leaving me with the William Haggas trained three-year-old. A clock busting (117) timefigure when making all at Pontefract over 10f had me half-thinking about the Epsom Derby for this son of Ghaiyyath, although his head carriage prevented me from getting involved. Given a break since that performance in April, he was backed off the boards last time out but had no luck in-running. Slowly away at Chester he found every door closed in his face at the business end of the race before keeping on well at the finish. There is no doubt he is a well-handicapped horse at the moment, and if he can handle today’s new test he looks worth a play. The former was mightily impressive when taking a 12f novice contest by just over 4 lengths at Doncaster this month, and although the handicapper has put him up 6lb he does look well treated at the moment. At the odds on offer I just preferred Tom Marquand’s mount.

PLANET SEEKER (7f Gp3) – The (3.00) Goodwood looks to contain a decent amount of pace with Zanthos, Isle of Fernandez and Radiant Beauty in opposition. This should suit the selection who was wildly impressive last time out at Newmarket when clocking a (112) timefigure having raced in rear before flying home for a 3.5 length victory over Machadadorp. The strength of that performance can be somewaht gauged by the runner-up’s performance in today’s final event at the track, although it is clear from the evidence already that the three-year-old daughter of Blue Point is much more than a handicapper. Trainer Ralph Beckett has saddled the winner of this contest for the past two years and with a bit of luck in-running she looks to have a strong chance of completing the hat-trick.

PERSHAADA (5F Gp3) – The Queen Mary Stakes contest from Royal Ascot looks to hold the key to the (3.35) Goodwood and the selection put in a very solid display coming home 2.75 lengths in fourth place behind Victorious (who looks the top two-year-old filly in racing right now). She raced keenly in a prominent position on that occasion before keeping on well at the finish under Sean Leavy. The fifth placed filly Crownbreaker re-opposes having finished three quarters of a length further back, and she came forward last time out when taking the Listed Prix Yacowlef over 5f at Deauville by a length from the French trained Drazinda. A (112) timefigure on the day would indicate that she could be a tough nut to crack. I was just swayed by the Richard Hannon trained filly who travelled better at Royal Ascot, and with a course and distance win to her name back in May should appreciate this much easier test.

OPERA BALLO (8f Gp1) -The (4.10) Goodwood Sussex Stakes may revolve around improving three-year-old Bow Echo, but I was less blown away by his performance at Royal Ascot than I was in the 2000 Guineas. It is true that events conspired against him last time out as he had difficulty obtaining the position that jockey Billy Loughnane would have liked, but at the prices on offer I was happy to let him win. The selection looks to represent a bit more value considering his improved form at Meydan over the winter. I wasn’t involved last time out at Royal Ascot but I wasn’t impressed with the ride he was given. With little pace in the race it was right to make the running on the four-year-old, but the combination of horse and jockey used up a bit too much petrol early on. In defence of jockey Billy Loughnane the horse is probably better around a bend, and this contest might just be what the doctor ordered. With William Buick back on board (who knows him best) I will be hoping that he is given a more restrained ride, and with the Ballydoyle duo of Puerto Rico and Dorset in opposition he should obtain a nice lead into the contest before showing his quality at the business end of the race.

1pt e/way Infraad (7/2 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral) 1.50 Goodwood

1pt e/way Planet Seeker (8/1 Betfred, Coral, 15/2 Unibet 4 places) 3.00 Goodwood

1pt e/way Pershaada (4/1 general) 3.35 Goodwood

1pt e/way Opera Ballo (10/3 Paddy Power, William Hill, Bet365) 4.10 Goodwood