Richard Fahey runs two in the Group Two Richmond Stakes over six furlongs at Goodwood on Thursday, and we tipped both of them for separate races during Royal Ascot.
Charming Kid let us down when behind Shang Shang Shang in a fillies’ Group Two over five furlongs but left that run behind when an excellent third to Coventry Stakes winner Advertise at 40/1 in the July Stakes at Newmarket.
The other was Sabre, who was slowly away at Royal Ascot in Listed company but emerged from the pack to finish a clear and perhaps unfortunate second behind Soldier’s Call.
Stable jockey Richard Fahey apparently prefers Sabre’s chances to Charming Kid, and Richard Fahey’s comments before Royal Ascot, where he described Sabre as his best chance of the week, are consistent with this.
I don’t fancy the favourite Konchek at all as he only narrowly got the better of a very green Charming Kid at Newmarket, so Sabre being the stable’s first choice might suggest he’s superior to that form line, and I think 6/1 is a good price in a wide-open race.
However, I suspect LAND FORCE has been underestimated and possibly has the better form.
Perhaps there are doubts he stays six furlongs as his best form is over five, however his defeat by Fairyland over six at the Curragh does read well, as Fairyland’s form ties in with the very best of the juvenile fillies this season.
He was staying on all the way to the line when narrowly beaten by the American speedball Shang Shang Shang at Royal Ascot, and Goodwood is an easy six furlong compared to Ascot or the Curragh.
They’re all two-year-olds and entitled to be improving, but Marie’s Diamond has been highly tried this season and I wouldn’t be afraid of taking him on.
1pt win Land Force @6/1, 15:00 Goodwood, Thursday