Yesterday’s Review

1pt e/way Ciarrai Abu (102) – A slowly-run race which suited the prominent racers as the leading trio from five furlongs out finished in the first five places. Nevertheless, this had little affect on the winner who, despite unseating his rider pre-race, sauntered through the field before taking up the running over a furlong from home. He wandered around a bit in the finish, but was a length too strong for the runner-up. He looked a handicap snip beforehand and so it proved even with the step up in trip. Result 1st 5/1 adv….10/3F.

GLORIOUS GOODWOOD SATURDAY (DAY 5)

VALEDICTORY/BURDETT ROAD (14f Hcp) – The former selection looks a solid favourite for the (1.50) Goodwood as a stayer who has won his last two races (since cheekpieces have been applied) by finding an extra gear at the business end of his races when needed. As such he is a difficult horse for the handicapper to pin down. Last time out he raced towards the rear in a slowly run race but kept finding when taking up the running over a furlong from home. The margin of victory at the line was only a neck from the Olly Murphy trained Roaring Legend, but as a result the handicapper could only add 3lb to his mark. Stable jockey William Buick takes the ride for Godolphin and this previous course and distance winner has plenty of the boxes ticked.

The latter selection has dropped 10lb in the handicap since swimming in deeper waters early last season. A runner-up out in Meydan over 14f back in January in a conditions event behind the Simon & Ed Crisford trained Meydaan he landed in a hot contest last time out over 12f at Newmarket. Topweight on the day he found the concession of weight to some younger improving types a bridge too far. He raced keenly as he normally does and despite having every chance 3 furlongs from home could offer no more inside the final furlong coming home in sixth place. The third place finisher Night Breeze has ran a solid race in the Chesterfield Cup at today’s venue on Tuesday, and the fifth placed Al Aali has won both starts since. Apprentice Mason Paetel takes a handy 5lb off his back and he has been performing well this month with 5 winners on the board so far. A decent win aboard difficult to win with Ay Up Duck last week at Doncaster looked a notable success. He can be a difficult horse to get a consistent tune out of, but at the odds he looks worth a small interest.

OPPORTUNITY/IN MY TEENS (11f 218y Hcap) – The (2.25) Goodwood looks an interesting contest as the short priced favouriite Al Aasy may still have plenty to offer at the moment and is looking for a hat-trick of wins in this contest, but at nine-years-old is he still at his best? He won by a comfortable looking 3 lengths last year from Meydaan having met trouble in running and it was a similar story last time out at Beverley in a weakish looking Listed contest. The only off-putting thing is the price. The former selection looks to be an up and coming improver for the same stable who took the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes in impressive fashion by 1.75 lengths from the John & Thady Gosden trained Warrant Holder having raced in touch of the leaders. He looks ready for a step up in class having won his last two contests and it would be no surprise if he were to complete the hat-trick.

The latter selection didn’t take to hurdling for the Gavin Cromwell stable this winter but was very impressive last time out over 12f at The Curragh when taking apart twelve rivals by 7 lengths in a Premier handicap on Derby Day. The question is are we going to get something similar from her in this contest? Oisin Murphy has been booked and the price looks a point or two above one I would be happy laying so she looks worth a play.

MARENGO STORM (7f Hacp) – We’re Goosers heads the market for the (4.10) Goodwood and although the form of his 9.5 length demolition job over 7f at Newmarket has not been franked since there is every chance that he is still a well-handicapped type from an 11lb higher mark. Unfortunately, he disappointed at Ascot since and has been gelded in the meantime. That was enough for me to go looking elsewhere and the Richard Hughes trained selection looks like he could be a pound or two ahead of his handicap mark at the moment. The way he travelled when taking his maiden by 2.75 lengths over 6f at Kempton back in May indicated that he was one to keep an eye on. Beaten next time out at Windsor he did find trouble in running on more than one occasion. Last time out when stepped up in trip at Newmarket he raced a bit lazily in rear before coming through to get the job done by a head at the line from the William Haggas trained Hardy’s Hero. The handicapper could only put him up a 1lb for that, and we have still yet to see the selection’s full potential. It is hoped that the application of first-time cheekpieces could help bring out the best in him, and he looks nicely weighted towards the bottom of the handicap with Luke Morris booked.

1pt e/way Valedictory (7/2 Ladbrokes, Coral, 10/3 Betvictor 4 places) 1.50 Goodwood

0.5pt e/way Burdett Road (33/1 William Hill, 28/1 Betfred, Boyles 4 places) 1.50 Goodwood

1pt win Opportunity (3/1 Ladbrokes, Coral, Betvictor) 2.25 Goodwood

0.75pt e/way In My Teens (9/1 Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power) 2.25 Goodwood

0.75pt e/way Marengo Storm (14/1 Betfred, Coral, Bet365 4 places) 4.10 Goodwood