A feast for racing fans this Saturday with top quality action from both Goodwood and Newmarket.
The fiercely competitive Stewards Cup being the highlight on the final day of what’s been another thrilling Goodwood Festival.
A maximum of 28 will go to post at 3.35 on Saturday for the biggest betting race of the meeting’s final day, which is one of Glorious Goodwood’s finest spectacles with Meraas looking to follow-up her impressive win in the Scottish version of this race.
Goodwood
13.50
6f Steward’s Cup Consolation Race Handicap
(Class 2)
A wide-open race as usual with plenty of these experienced handicappers arriving here in good heart. Bottom weight Tommy G however makes plenty of appeal having won this race in 2018 and followed up with a third-place finish last season.
Silvestre De Sousa who rode on both occasions comes back in for the ride and his last run over 7f suggested he was returning to his best. Ryan Moore is an interesting booking for Batchelor Boy who has ridden him to victory in the past and the consistent previous course winner May Remain is another to consider.
Selection: Tommy G (Each Way)
14.25
1m 6f Summer Handicap Stakes
(Class 2)
Yet another handicap this week that trainer Mark Johnston has a solid record in. He puts 3 into the mix on this occasion and the one who makes most appeal is top weight King’s Advice.
He is unbeaten here at Goodwood including a victory in this last season off a 4lb higher mark. Excuses can be made for both starts this season and back on a firm surface we should see an improved showing.
Ryan Moore is back on board Laafy who has looked to take another step forward this season and looks the main danger for Sir Michael Stoute
Selection: King’s Advice
15.00
1m 6f Langtry Stakes
(Group 2)
Just the four runners here and tactics could be crucial. Manuela De Vega is likely to go forward and set the early fractions like she has when successful on her two starts this season but has a bit too find based on her second in this race last year.
She finished some 5 lengths behind Enbihaar on that occasion who was an impressive winner that day. The John Gosden trained runner should be spot on for her repeat bid after her seasonal debut earlier this month and looks hard to beat.
The 3-year olds Cabaletta and Snow both need to improve on what they have shown so far this season to worry the selection.
Selection: Enbihaar
15.35
6f Steward’s Cup Handicap
(Class 2)
The 3-year-old Meraas looked a sprinter to follow when an impressive winner of the Scottish version of this race recently. Probably unsuited by the soft ground the time before he should have more to come and is one for the shortlist.
Nahaar is another progressive sprinter and arrives here on the back of comfortable win at Newbury last time, the 7lb rise for that victory however will make things much tougher in this stronger race.
Kimifive looks to be returning to top form based on his recent efforts this season and looks an interesting runner back down to a nice rating and with the excellent Cieran Fallon taking off a further 3lbs. A fast pace over 6f is ideal for this previous course winner and he is expected to improve upon his 6th place finish in the race last season. Open Wide finished 2nd in this last year from a higher mark and is another to consider.
Selection: Kimifive (Nap)
16.10
7f Handicap
(Class 2)
Society Lion looks a typical improver for his trainer Sir Michael Stoute and is expected to take another step forward from his recent effort at Doncaster. That form has been franked and with that only being his fourth career start a further step forward is likely.
Homespin was a winner here at 2 and would have claims on that run but has to bounce back from a poor performance on his seasonal return. King Ragnar was a good winner at Leicester last time and the lightly raced Richard Hughes trained Mister Snowdon is another to consider.
Selection: Society Lion (Next Best)
Newmarket
14.05
6f Nursery Handicap
(Class 2)
She’s So Nice made all when winning here on her second start. She should make a bold bid again but is not likely to get her own way in front on this occasion.
Basilicata is another who is likely to want to be on the front end early and if that is the case the race could be set up for something coming from off the pace. Famille Rose has finished on 2nd on both her starts to date and has to be respected on those efforts stepping into handicaps of a mark of 76.
Ocean Eyes ran well here on debut and last time out put in a respectable effort in the super sprint. The step back up to 6f should be more to her liking and has her best chance to date in this nursery.
Selection: Ocean Eyes
14.40
7f Handicap
(Class 3)
Top weight Stone Circle looks to be returning to the form he showed when winning a valuable sales race at 2. He drops down in grade again today and after a solid effort last time out over CD all looks set for another solid effort.
The lightly raced Baashir was an impressive winner at Salisbury recently and looks the main danger with further progression likely on handicap debut
Selection: Stone Circle
15.15
1m 4f Chalice Stakes
(Listed)
Katara won well at Kempton recently but has to take another step forward now moving into this grade. Expressionism is another who should have more to offer and despite the lay off has to be respected for the Godolphin team who it could be significant has been kept in training at 4.
Hughie Morrison is not one to highly try his horses so it looks an interesting move that he steps his Cosmic Princess up to listed level after her win at Newbury. That was only the second start for this daughter of Kingman and she still looked in need of the experience that day so gives the strong impression we should see her progress again at makes most appeal.
Selection: Cosmic Princess
15.50
1m 6f Further Flight Stakes
(Listed)
Withold is 2 from 2 here at Newmarket and looks the one to be with now dropping to calmer waters. Oisin Murphy should be able to dictate things from the front as when winning here back in September last year.
The Charlie Appleby trained Moonlight Spirit looks the likely danger if able to bounce back to form he showed on his first start this season but has subsequently but in 2 below form efforts.
Selection: Withold
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