As most of you will know, I am a @unibetracing ambassdor and I will be writing daily blogs during the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Below are my thoughts on the horses heading to post on Day 3...
1:50 Handicap
Bathsheba Bay (David Egan)
He’s a smart colt who’s always shown a good level of form and is a consistent animal. He was second in a good Maiden here last year (behind Dee Ex Be) and ran very well when third on his first try at 1m2f last time so I think there could be more to come over this trip. The ground should be absolutely ideal and he has solid each way claims.
3:00 G2 Richmond Stakes
Neverland Rock (Frankie Dettori)
The lads from Unibet came to our yard last week and asked what my best chance of a winner was at Goodwood this week and I was very quick to nominate this horse. He won at Newmarket two starts ago and then probably didn’t quite get the trip last time so the drop back to 6f will be in his favour and I really fancy his chances. He’s a very talented colt who could still be anything.
3:35 G1 Nassau Stakes
Billesdon Brook (Tom Marquand)
She ran well at Ascot last time in a race won by an exceptional filly in Alpha Centauri so I wasn’t too disappointed and I feel going up to 1m2f could really help her. She’s already won twice at the track and the rain we’ve had should ensure she has her optimum conditions. Winning any Group One is never easy but she’s as good as I can get her at home and I see absolutely no reason why she can’t be bang there. There’s nothing that tells you she can’t win.
4:10 Nursery
No More Regrets (Ryan Moore)
I think a quick seven furlongs around here will really suit as she has plenty of speed and only really got tired in the dying strides at Newmarket last time. Now we’re getting to know her she strikes me as a filly that could easily win a race like this and I wouldn’t put you off if Ryan can navigate a clear passage from stall 18.
Water Diviner (Tom Marquand)
He’s still unexposed and is a horse we all like. Things didn’t go to plan at Haydock last time but the likely fast pace here will be in his favour and he’ll be staying on at the death.
Chonburi (Thore Hammer-Hansen)
She’s shaped with promise in three runs and makes her Nursery debut off a mark of 70 and with the ‘Hammer’s’ 7lbs claim she ends up carrying a featherweight which is perfect in a race as competitive as this. Her work has been very good and she has a good each way shout.
St Ouen (Kieran O’Neill)
He’s well drawn and is in good form at home but this looks a tough task on his Nursery debut and I couldn’t strongly recommend him in a race where I think we have better chances.
4:45 Fillies’ Maiden
Black Medick (Tom Marquand)
A lovely well bred filly by Dark Angel who has been doing everything right at home but she will come on for the outing. This looks a very good Fillies’ Maiden but she’s a horse we like and we wouldn’t be running her if we didn’t think she could acquit herself well. Whatever happens here she has a very bright future ahead of her.
5:20 Handicap
Embour (Ryan Moore)
He didn’t get the run of the race at Newmarket last time as he likes to use his stride and sit quite handy which he didn’t get so you can draw a line through that. He’ll like this course and I think he’ll appreciate the drop back to 5f. There is still improvement in him and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bouncing back here.
Dragon Moon (Thore Hammer-Hansen)
He made his debut over a mile so you could question why we’re dropping him in trip to 5f but he’s a horse that shows plenty of speed in his races and the likely fast pace here should really suit him. The 7lbs claim literally brings him right down near the bottom of the weights and he’ll run a big race. He’s done absolutely nothing at home since Salisbury apart from a few hacks on our warm-up gallop.
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