Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips from Saturday’s racing at Glorious Goodwood, Galway Festival and Newmarket.
GLORIOUS GOODWOOD
Race 1 No5 RUN TO FREEDOM (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Josephine Gordon
RUN TO FREEDOM was behind the eight ball after a tardy start at Sandown after which he could never get competitive. He’s been blessed with a good draw three off the rail and should enjoy a more pleasant trip closer to the pace, off which he can counter in the straight. He’s well thought of by his trainer, and can bounce back.
Race 2 No23 MUSIC SOCIETY ( Each Way)
This consolation race for the Stewards Cup can go to MUSIC SOCIETY. The grey hails from a stable choc full of decent sprint handicappers, and aside from scoring at Pontefract has knocked on the door on several occasions this season, including when short-headed in a Class2 at York last time. From a low draw he can put in an earning run, with dangers including Boundless Power, Mr Wagyu and top weight First Folio who all need inclusion in the exotics.
Race 3 No1 ON TO VICTORY
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Marquand
From a stable that’s been on the mark in a big way at the meeting, ON TO VICTORY makes plenty of appeal in this stayers’ handicap. The dual purpose performer has established himself as a smart hurdler, and when last seen on the level here in May, raised his game to get to within a length and a half of Hukum in a Listed race. Hukum gave that form a boost when going on to finish third in the Hardwicke Stakes and then land a Group 2 at York. Dangers to the selection abound, with hat-trick seeker Nuits St Georges, My Frankel, Win O’Clock and Urban Artist all capable of having a say. Any support for the last-named mare should be respected, as she’s better than she showed on her latest start.
Race 4 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2)
No1 WONDERFUL TONIGHT
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: William Buick
Menuisier’s decision to skip the King George with WONDERFUL TONIGHT can be rewarded with a victory in this distaffers’ Group 2. The daughter of Le Havre built on her progression at the end of last season to wow her followers with a smooth triumph in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, form that has worked out. This is effectively a slight drop in class for the selection, who can take the spoils to earn herself a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the autumn.
Race 5 UNIBET STEWARDS CUP (Heritage Handicap)
No16 CHIEFOFCHIEFS (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
The major betting extravaganza of the week can fall to CHIEFOFCHIEFS, a lightly-raced sprinter this season who looked like he was approaching his peak when fourth to Rohan in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. While Ascot seems to be the eight-year-old’s favourite hunting ground, he’s having a first look at the entirely different Goodwood sprint course, and if taking to it can put in a big earning run. Fresh has a similar profile and is respected as a possible market favourite for his in-form connections, while northern raiders Commanche Falls and Zarzyni both go into battle with recent wins to their names, and can also be competitive.
Prediction: 1st CHIEFOFCHIEFS, 2nd Fresh, 3rd Commanche Falls, 4th Zarzyni
Race 6 No15 TARTAN CHIEF
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: William Buick
Bringing experience to the table can prove a big advantage in two-year-old maidens, and those that fall into this category are Khanjar and TARTAN CHIEF. Khanjar should undoubtedly build on his promising Ascot debut but Tartan Chief has shown with earning runs at Haydock and Salisbury that he’s in a good place to notch a first career win.
Race 7 No8 TURNTABLE
Trainer: Chris Wall – Jockey: Sebastian Woods
Any rain will not inconvenience the ultra consistent TURNTABLE in a tricky nightcap. The Pivotal gelding has brought home a cheque on each of his four outings this year, scoring at Newmarket and backing that up with solid subsequent efforts at Yarmouth and back at HQ. Dangers abound from several directions, and both Hundred Isles and Dingle are afforded respect at bigger prices. The last-named horse didn’t run badly here on Thursday and is capable of better.
GALWAY FESTIVAL
Race 3 No12 SNAG IT (Each Way)
Trainer: Matthew Smith – Jockey: Leigh Roche
SNAG IT brings winning German form to the table for his first run in Ireland and needs respecting as the joker in the pack. The grey returns from a near 200-day absence, but if tuned up for new connections can put in an earning run on a switch from the all-weather to turf. Others to bear in mind for exotics are CELTIC CROWN and DREAM TALE who each bring a consistent profile to the table.
Race 7 No13 SIONNACH EILE (Each Way)
Trainer: Joseph Murphy – Jockey: Niall McCullagh
Scope for progression off just three career starts makes SIONNACH EILE of interest in this competitive handicap. He’s gradually improved to go 321, latterly opening his account with a gutsy display in a Sligo maiden. Even though that isn’t earth shaking form, it’s probably not been easy for the assessor to weight him up.
Race 8 No4 DAMMIT ( Each Way)
Trainer: Luke Comer – Jockey: Chris Hayes
The lightly-raced DAMMIT has limited experience on turf and could find room for improvement under a pilot riding him for the first time this season. The obvious one to beat is top weight Crassus, who keeps finding one to beat him but will surely find an opening any time now.
NEWMARKET
Race 4 No6 PORTFOLIO
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
This Listed feature is littered with in form fillies but there’s no better value at the likely prices than Her Majesty’s PORTFOLIO. The daughter of Deep Impact has with back-to-back triumphs at Leicester and here at HQ established herself as a filly deserving of a shot at some black type, and despite stern opposition from Sayyida and Yesyes she should take home another major cheque.
Race 6 No1 MODERN NEWS
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
We probably didn’t see the best of MODERN NEWS in his three races last year, but having been given time to strengthen up and mature into his frame the Shamardal gelding can now begin to make up for lost time on what is a belated return to the fray.
