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 4...
4:10 Unibet Nursery
Leoube (Tom Marquand)
She won easily at Bath in what didn’t look the strongest races but the Handicapper has hiked her up 12lbs (to 83) so must have been impressed. That was over 5f on firm ground and we’re going back up to 6f here on better ground which will aid her cause, but whether she’s up to defying such a rise in the weights, only time will tell. What I can tell you is, that win will have done her confidence plenty of good and her work has been good ever since which would give her a decent chance.
Dixieland (Franny Norton)
He’s been a bit of an enigma as I thought he was one of our best 2-y-o-s earlier in the year but things haven’t gone at all to plan and he’s still a Maiden after four starts. We gelded him before his latest run and he performed better at Lingfield which was a step in the right direction. Franny Norton has never ridden for me but he’s the sort of jockey who could get a tune of of him and while I wouldn’t say he’s a betting proposition, he could sneak into a place as this type of track could bring out the best in him.
4:40 G3 Oak Tree Stakes
Pepita (Tom Marquand)
A lovely filly who gained some valuable black-type at Musselburgh and then probably found 6f too sharp at York afterwards. The return to 7f is a big plus and while she’s not a mudlark by any means, any cut in the ground will be in her favour. Her work has been excellent and she comes here with a great chance.
Promising (Hayley Turner)
She’s in foal to Nathaniel and ran a stormer behind stablemate Oh This Is Us at Chester last time. A fast run 7f is ideal but she’s not drawn particularly well in 16. That said, time is limited with her so she’s running for her life and has conditions to suit. She’ll go well at decent odds.
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