Race 1 No4 MAYDANNY
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Jim Crowley
MAYDANNY landed some good bets when readily taking out this contest 12 months ago, and signalled with a super run at Sandown that he’s ready to stage a repeat. The son of Dubawi and 1,000 Guineas winner Attraction has almost certainly had his programme targeted on today, and can take the spoils for a trainer with an exemplary record here. Majestic Dawn has a touch of class, and last season’s Cambridgeshire winner is worth a saver as well as inclusion in all exotics.
Race 2 Unibet Vintage Stakes (Group 2)
No1 BERKSHIRE SHADOW
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
It’s best to rely on the Royal Ascot form of BERKSHIRE SHADOW as the Coventry Stakes winner steps up to seven furlongs. The Dark Angel colt put that ultra-competitive Group 2 to bed with real authority and can dominate this at the main expense of Lusail, a game winner of the July Stakes at Newmarket. At longer odds Angel Bleu can also have a say if Saturday’s Ascot exertions haven’t left their mark.
Race 3 Unibet Lennox Stakes (Group 3)
No1 DUKE OF HAZZARD (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Course specialist DUKE OF HAZZARD can add this prestigious contest to his previous Group 2 and 3 successes here. While having something to find on the book with the 2020 winner Space Blues, the five-year-old is fully capable of raising his game at what is his favourite time of the season. He has a good midfield draw to get a tow into the race, but will require racing room in the closing stages. Space Blues needs to cope with a tricky draw on his return from a break, but needs to go into the mix along with Safe Voyage.
Race 4 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (Group 1)
No9 SPANISH MISSION
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: William Buick
All eyes are on Stradivarius in his bid for a record fifth Goodwood Cup. The now seven-year-old will bring the house down if successful, but a thumping defeat behind Subjectivist in the Gold Cup casts aspersions as to whether he’s as good as he was. Trueshan was a late scratch from that Ascot showpiece and a similar fate could await him should rain not be forthcoming. He wasn’t disgraced when sixth in the Northumberland Plate but a more reliable wagering option is SPANISH MISSION. Andrew Balding stated that the Gold Cup trip is further than ideal for the five-year-old, who nevertheless got to within five and a half lengths of the winner last month. Back to two miles, Spanish Mission has a very good chance of turning round last year’s running in this with Stradivarius, who may have to content himself with minor honours.
Prediction: 1st SPANISH MISSION, 2nd Stradivarius, 3rd Trueshan, 4th Serpentine
Race 5 No15 SAAHEQ (Each Way)
Trainer: Amanda Perrett – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Locally-trained SAAHEQ can prove a popular winner of this sprint handicap. The strong traveller didn’t find the gaps at Sandown last week, but after switching wide was finishing best of all behind Street Parade. Berthed at the foot of the weights, this blink and you’ve missed it contest could be stacked in his favour.
Race 6 No8 OLIVETTI
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Tregoning likes to bring his better juveniles here and OLIVETTI can prove a case in point. The Showcasing gelding finished just out of the money on debut in a big field on Newbury debut and will be more finely tuned and streetwise for this. He is also well drawn, and has Murphy back in the plate.
Race 7 No3 DALANIJUJO (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Unlucky in two of her last three outings, DALANIJUJO can swoop to conquer at the business end of this fillies’ handicap. The chestnut got no run in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot and last time got going all too late in a Class 2 at Newbury, finishing strongly to take third behind Declared Interest. The draw hasn’t been kind to the selection, but if getting the ‘rub’ that she richly deserves, she can take home a major cheque.
Race 8 No7 LOVELY BREEZE
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: William Buick
Consistency is the hallmark of LOVELY BREEZE, who after hitting the woodwork a couple of times has reacted well to blinkers, in which she scored at Newmarket and finished second there last time. Better off at the weights with winner Gellhorn, she can turn the tables on that rival under a jockey who can’t do a thing wrong at present.