6f Qatar Richmond Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (2yo)
This race looks wide open as the Coventry Stakes form has been a bit ropey of late, and Threat, the second from that race, leads the market at what looks a skinny price. I’m going to throw two darts at this one with GOLDEN HORDE for Clive Cox the first. He also ran in the Coventry but it had been raining and I’m certain this fella wants it faster than he got, while he hung badly across the track at Ascot and would have finished closer if running straight. That’s no given but I do think he’s better than his 8/1 quotes because the slightly easier 6f should be more suitable – he’s certainly more speed than stamina. The other one I’m on is ROYAL DORNOCH, the son of first-season sire Gleneagles. Gleneagles’ progeny look like rockets and this guy is well bred on the dam side too, being a half-brother to the talented Hawksmoor. He’s been extremely green on two racecourse appearances so far but gives the impression he’s very talented and could improve stones if sorting his head out. At 40/1 I am more than happy to roll the dice as nothing O’Brien trains should be that price in a race like this.
1pt win Golden Horde @8/1, 14:25 Goodwood, Thursday
1pt win Royal Dornoch @40/1, 14:25 Goodwood, Thursday
1m4f (1m3f218y) Qatar Gordon Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo)
Another competitive race but one with a 9/4 favourite Constantinople who doesn’t look to have the strongest form in the book. Jalmoud’s Group One third to Japan at Longchamp might be the best form on offer, and he clearly didn’t stay on soft ground over 14f when well beaten at Royal Ascot. He’s a very fair price at 5/1 for each-way thieves, as I suspect he’ll place at least, but the one I’m on is the unexposed and lightly raced LEO DE FURY for Jessie Harrington. He has favourable collateral form with the favourite and he’s won by 5l both times he’s visited the track, so he looks talented. This is a step up in class and trip but as a son of Australia you’d expect him to stay well, so 8/1 feels good. I’ll put in a strong word for Cap Francais too, as I’ve backed him a couple of times this season and think he was very unlucky in traffic at Royal Ascot. 22/1 underestimates him for all that I struggle to see him winning.
1pt win Leo De Fury @8/1, 15:00 Goodwood, Thursday
1m2f (1m1f197y) Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies & Mares)(Class 1) (3yo+)
Dual-Guineas heroine Hermosa somewhat had her bubble burst in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but she runs as if the step up to 10f is what she wants and is therefore a warm order for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. It’s a hot race, though, and there is no shortage of options to take her on with. French Oaks winner Channel represents France and must have a chance, but they finished in a heap at Chantilly and I’m not sure the form will add up to much. MAQSAD ran really well in the English Oaks before clearly not staying the 12f trip, but back to 10f on decent ground I expect her to be a real force to be reckoned with. 13/2 is a few points bigger than I expected to see her chalked up, so she is easy to recommend as a bet.
1pt win Maqsad @13/2, 15:35 Goodwood, Thursday
Leave a comment