Goodwood day one selections: Positive (14/1), Wells Farhh Go (28/1)

Pinatubo was brilliant at Royal Ascot and deserves to be a skinny price for success in the Group Two Vintage Stakes, but there is rain forecast and not many of his sire Shamardal’s like any cut in the ground. The opposite is true of Lope Y Fernandez’s sire so any significant rain might see their Chesham placings reversed. However, Clive Cox clearly thinks a lot of POSITIVE to take on the big two here, and his sole appearance on the racecourse was very impressive, winning by five lengths with a minimum of fuss. I think he’s worth chancing at 14/1 in a very competitive race, and on pedigree a bit of rain shouldn’t hurt his chances.

1pt win Positive @14/1, 14:25 Goodwood, Tuesday

2m  Qatar Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)  (Class 1) (3yo+)

He may have won his last seven starts, three at Group One level, but I still want to take on Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup – a race he’s landed two years on the trot. I’m not sure Dee Ex Bee is the answer as we know he can’t outstay the favourite over two miles, meaning only a sharper turn of foot or a tactical advantage will see him come home in front – both of which seem implausible.

Cross Counter is a big player as he probably didn’t want the soft ground in the Ascot Gold Cup and was asked to pass virtually the whole field from the back off a slow pace, neither of which will have shown him to best effect. He has the mile-and-a-half track record at Goodwood from his beating of Dee Ex Bee last season, and his efforts in Group company over middle distances show he has the pace to go toe-to-toe with Stradivarius. I’m not sure 3/1 is a price with any headroom for value, though.

The other one I can’t help but like is WELLS FARHH GO at 28/1, who tries staying trips for the first time and boasts some classy Group form. He’s the unexposed angle in the race and confirmed his form when easily winning on reappearance at Newmarket. We never got to see his Classic credentials last season as injury intervened, but I don’t think his price fairly reflects his relative ability versus Dee Ex Bee and Cross Counter, and he runs as if he will stay well.

1pt win Wells Farhh Go @28/1, 15:35 Goodwood, Tuesday

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