Yesterday’s Review

1pt e/way Diego El Queso (103) – The expected decent pace never materialised as three of the first five six furlongs out filled three of the first five positions at the line. The selection reared at the start and was held up out the back racing keenly. I thought the ride from Colin Keane could have been better for each way backers as he showed littke urgency to close down the leaders until very late and also met trouble in-running.

1pt e/way Qirat (106) – The race appeared to be going to plan as the selection tracked leader Witness Stand and both horses looked to have the ideal set up off a slow pace. Unfortunately, Colin Keane’s mount looked all at sea when asked to quicken over a furlong from home and found very little at the business end failing by a quarter of a length to make the places. A very below par effort.

1pt e/way Annastarzy (99) – The selection raced a bit too keen for the first three furlongs and found very little when asked to quicken two furlongs from home. She is way better than this and will have to learn to settle better.

Today’s Advice

GLORIOUS GOODWOOD (DAY 3)(THURSDAY)

CIARRAI ABU (9f 197y Hcap) – This Harry Eustace trained three-year-old looks the right favourite based on the clock and he looks to have started his handicap career on a lowly mark having won by the minimum margin over the round mile at Ascot last time out. The form of his maiden win over the mile at this venue may not look the strongest with just the Eve Johnson Houghton trained Doodling winning since. However, he caught the eye when not getting the clearest of runs back over the same course and distance behind Annastarzy two runs back before finishing strongly. Last time out he went clear of the field with the Jack Channon trained Crest Of Fire having raced in midfield and the handicapper has only raised him 6lb from a mark of 80. The step up to 10f is a new trip for him, but there is plenty of stamina in the pedigree with grand dam Galvaun having won over 11f in France.

The main danger looks to be the John & Thady Gosden trained Harmonics who won his novice over 10f at Doncaster back in June by 6 lengths from the Tom Clover trained My Mate Roger who also went on to win his novice by 6 lengths over the mile at Hamilton. He did disappoint last time out in the Golden Gate Stakes handicap at Royal Ascot behind Lost Boys, but may have found that race coming a bit too soon just 15 days after his novice win.

0.75pt e/way Ciarrai Abu (5/1 general 4 places) 1.50 Goodwood