Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing at Goodwood, Windsor and York.
Goodwood Best Bets
Race 1: STRAWBERRY HIND (4)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: David Egan
Clueless on her debut at Chepstow, STRAWBERRY HIND returned from a subsequent break to chase home Nina Ballerina in a new market maiden since when she’s delighted her trainer. She should now be cherry ripe to start living up to the high holes held for her at a course her trainer loves to saddle winners.
Race 2: DUKE OF HAZZARD (3)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Winner of a Group 3 at the big meeting here, DUKE OF HAZZARD has earned a shot at this Group 2 Celebration Mile. The colt has reacted favourably to the application of blinkers and is on a hat-trick after overcoming trouble in running to swoop to conquer against Turjomaan last time. He needs to be ridden with cover, but in this smaller field, it should be easier for his pilot to find racing room at the business end.
Race 5: DAL HORRISGLE (1)
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Tom Marquand
This traditional St Leger trial has cut up and gives DAL HORRISGLE the chance to endorse the promise of his fifth placing to in the Gordon Stakes over a mile and a half. On that occasion, he rallied in the final furlong when the birds had already flown and looked for all the world that he wants this quarter-mile longer trip. With only five career starts under his belt, he’s a horse that has room for significant improvement.
Windsor Best Bets
Race 4: QUEEN POWER (5)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Windsor’s only Group race, the Winter Hill Stakes, can go to QUEEN POWER who is the only filly in the field. She’s already proven herself Group class by troubling the judge in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. Her trainer has afforded her a mid-summer break from which she can emerge triumphant, taking full advantage of her very healthy sex allowance from older males.
Race 5: MEDIEVAL (3)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
While he’s become expensive to follow, MEDIEVAL should confirm his superiority over Marshal Dan who was breathing down his neck in a class 4 at Newbury a week ago. The selection was inconvenienced by a stumble leaving the stalls and yet finished best of all. If the cards fall for him he should post a belated first success of the season.
York Best Bets
Race 3: LAURENS (3)
Trainer: Karl Burke
Jockey: PJ McDonald
Taking Group 1 winning form into a Group 2 is never a bad thing and the City Of York Stakes has LAURENS written all over it. The filly had to play second fiddle to Mustashry in the Lockinge Stakes but after a rare blip at Royal Ascot bounced back to win the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. Stepping back to seven furlongs shouldn’t present any problems for her, and will help connections decide whether she heads for the Prix de la Foret or the Sun Chariot Stakes afterwards.
Race 6: TUDOR CITY (16)
Trainer: Tony Martin
Jockey: John Egan
A fascinating runner in this tough handicap is TUDOR CITY. Fresh from a memorable victory in the Galway Hurdle the 7yo has his attention turned to the Flat off what looks a reasonable mark. A mile and a quarter is normally an inadequate test for the gelding, but a strong pace looks assured in the 17-runner contest and that should ensure he’s doing his best work at the finish.
