Glorious Goodwood starts on Tuesday and a large field of 15 go to post for the Group Two Lennox Stakes over the intermediate trip of seven furlongs.
There’s no Group One in Britain over that trip and the prize money here is huge, which explains the presence of Henry Candy’s top-class Group One-winning sprinter LIMATO.
It’s all about the money for Limato these days considering he’s a gelding, and seven furlongs is arguably his best trip.
There’s been a lot of rain in the area and that’s put a question mark over his participation as he’s a supposed quick-ground lover.
The forecast is set fair which could see things dry out to something like good ground, but it’s still going to be on the slow side and that might be a negative.
However, if it is too slow he just won’t run and the ante-post markets have been closed now, so we can back him with no fear of him being withdrawn.
He’s the best horse in the race by some distance so quotes of 3/1 shouldn’t be missed on ground concerns alone.
I want to back two in the race and can see Home Of The Brave, drawn on the inside rail in stall one, leading them along and setting this up for a stayer – very much like last year when his Godolphin teammate Dutch Connection won.
I can’t see the out of form Dutch Connection repeating the feat without his favoured fast ground, but Godolphin’s speedy third string Dream Castle should be up with the pace from stall five and might be able to make his move before the chasing pack.
He gets a 3lb pull in the weights with Spirit Of Valor, who beat him in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, and on pedigree should appreciate the little cut in the ground more than that horse, while he’s drawn much better as well.
A reversal seems likely and, with four places on offer with several bookies, an each-way play might be shrewd.
It’s tight between him and STORMY ANTARCTIC for my each-way money, but I’m siding with Ed Walker’s four-year-old as he’s twice the price and more at 28/1.
His wide draw (13) isn’t so bad as he likes to be held up, so this smooth traveler can make late headway under Jamie Spencer, whose riding style is a good match.
The cut in the ground is a plus and he has Group form over a mile, so he has plenty of traits you’d like in a horse wanting to run on late.
He’s also remarkably consistent and seems to always hit the frame, with form reading 223 this season and tying in nicely with Spirit Of Valor, Dutch Connection and Dream Castle.
If he runs up to form he should be involved in the finish.
1.5pts win Limato @3/1, 15:00 Goodwood, Tuesday
0.5pt each-way Stormy Antarctic @28/1, 15:00 Goodwood, Tuesday (1,2,3,4, 1/5, Paddy Power)