Glorious Goodwood – Day 5 Preview

Stewards’ Sprint Handicap – EXTRA PLACE RACE

The hat-trick chasing Rewaayat should prove to be a popular selection for this sprint handicap given how easily he won at Salisbury earlier in the month, off an eight-pound lower mark. Jim Crowley now takes the ride and he must be taken seriously. Secretinthepark is the elder statesman in the field at the age of 10 but has showcased his current wellbeing with two recent runner-up finishes at Newmarket and Sandown. He’s won off much higher marks in the past and shouldn’t be underestimated. Course and distance winner The Lamplighter is a lot higher than his last win but has been a model of consistency this season and should be on the premises.

Selection: Rewaayat

Summer Handicap

Mark Johnston has had 10 winners from 100 runners in the past 2 weeks which is a fair strike rate and he’s got strong claims with top weigh/course and distance winner King’s Advice. He won this race off a four-pound higher mark last season but hasn’t looked the same horse in the current campaign and needs to improve to win back to back renewals. A horse that’s improved markedly since being gelded is Laafy who won with any amount in hand on seasonal debut and backed this up with a good run in the Old Newton Cup. He’s got a career-high mark to contend with but is on an upward curve. Calling The Wind has improved since tackling longer trips and gained a first turf win at Ascot when last seen. He did well to win then as he ran very free through the race and off a career-high mark he’ll need to settle better if he wants to get home.

Selection: Laafy

Lillie Langtry Stakes

Enbihaar has been a model of consistency throughout her career and bids for back to back wins in the Lillie Langtry having proved five lengths too good for the opposing Manuela De Vega twelve months ago. Following that victory, she went on to win the Park Hill and ended the season with a fine third in a Group 1 at Longchamp. She blew off any cobwebs at Newmarket in June and looks the answer. The aforementioned Manuela De Vega seems to have progressed this season winning both starts in very taking fashion and looks set to follow home Enbihaar once again. The lightly-raced Cabaletta was well held behind Manuela De Vega when they clashed at Haydock and may struggle, while the well-bred Snow can’t be discounted.

Selection: Enbihaar

Stewards’ Cup – EXTRA PLACE RACE

Favourites have won three of the last five runnings of this handicap so it pays to follow the horses to the fore of the market and Nahaarr looks sure to jump off as the favourite. The William Haggas inmate won his first four career starts and has shown strong form this season with a placing in the Silver Wokingham and was then an easy winner at Newbury. He got a seven-pound hike for that win but should go close once again. The lightly-raced Swindler was well supported for a handicap at Newmarket on season debut where he ran well but looked like a horse that would come on from the run and will be in the mix. Meraas is now 2-3 in handicaps and won with plenty in hand at Hamilton two weeks ago. He’s open to further improvement and merits consideration. Of the others, Kimifive is on a competitive mark but looks better over seven and might be best watched for another day.

Selection: Swindler

Qatar Handicap

The well-related Society Lion travelled kindly throughout at Doncaster and was only just worried out of it late on and with the benefit of that run under his belt, he’ll go close under Ryan Moore. The progressive Cold Front could be the answer following his breakthrough at Haydock most recently. Prior to that win, he’d been placed on all three starts and he looks like a black-type horse, so should go well off 91. Mister Snowdon won his first two starts with his only poor run coming on soft ground so that run can be forgiven and with the ground drying out he must enter the picture.

Selection: Cold Front

Newmarket

European Bloodstock News Fillies’ Nursery Handicap

Course and distance winner She’s So Nice made all to win easily when last seen for the Karl Burke team and looks sure to go close once again. The Mark Johnston duo Basilicata and Julie Johnston have both shown strong form to date and as with any Johnston horse, they will both improve with racing. Roger Varian’s twice-raced Famille Rose was only just touched off on both occasions and a mark of 76 looks very fair.

Selection: She’s So Nice

It’s Not Rocket Science Handicap

Only eleven-pounds separates the field on ratings meaning this is one of the tightest handicaps you’ll see run all season. Baashir looks better than a handicapper based on his easy win at the second attempt at Sailsbury. He looks like an uncomplicated horse and can win this before progressing onto bigger targets. It took Karibana six attempts to shed his maiden tag and may struggle off a mark in the 80’s, while Indian Creak brings strong handicap form into the race and should improve for a recent comeback so should prove to be a good yardstick.

Selection: Baashir

Chalice Stakes

Expressionism had just the three runs last season but was beaten just a length in a listed contest at Lingfield in October. She’s bred to get better with age and should prove difficult to beat on season return. Sir Michael Stoute historically brings horses along slowly and Katara a daughter of Deep Impact is a prime example of this as she progressed with each run to win snugly when last seen. She needs to prove that she’s as good on turf but looks like an exciting prospect. Makawee doesn’t win too often but brings the best form on offer having finished second in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks already this season. She undoubtedly sets the standard but looks vulnerable to an improver.

Selection: Expressionism

Further Flight Stakes

Just the four runners for this listed content with each of them holding some sort of chance. Moonlight Spirit and Withhold are both on marks of 108 but the first time addition of blinkers makes Charlie Appleby’s charge slightly more interesting. He was a Group 3 winner in France last season but has failed to beat a single rival this season. If the blinkers work he should be up to taking this but it’s a big “if”. Withhold has been a great servant for connections previously winning the Northumberland Plate and Ceasarewitch. He’s run well without threatening the judge this season but should appreciate the drop in class. Much like Moonlight Spirit, the Mark Johnston trained Vivid Diamond has shown precious little in two starts recently and needs to up her game, while Dubious Affair is the opposite having won his last four races on the bounce but this is a big step up in class.

Selection: Withhold