3.25 Glorious Goodwood
Betfair Cup (Registered As The Lennox Stakes) (Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £87,994
Pick: Dalghar (win and each/way)
Balthzaar’s Gift: Has been getting better and better and reached new heights with impressive Group 2 win in the Hungerford Stakes last year; Hasn’t run at all badly behind Starspangledbanner this year on both occasions, although tis probably no easier.
Cat Junior: Consistent horse who has been hard to win with, despite a number of good runs in strong company; Looked good when winning Group 3 at Meydan but disappointed when ninth behind Calming Influence and unlikely to reverse form with Dalghar from last time.
Dalghar: Steadily progressive and well-bred half-brother to Dalakhani and Daylami who has always been held in highest regard by powerful connections; Booked his ticketinto Royal Ascot when leaving powerful impression in Prix du Palais-Royal last time, always travelling sweetly accelerating well to win with something in hand; Not at best despite respectable fifth in Queen Anne, coltish before and running too free in the race, and can do better here in easier spot.
Dunelight: Good front runner who has had some real glory days, and back to best when winning listed event in March; Just collared by Lord Shanakill at Chester last time but job on to dominate this line-up.
Finjaan: Relatively lightly raced career, which has included 2 wins here, in the Molecomb and this last year; Not been on song since but surely primed for this event, so under – par performances best ignored.
Forgotten Voice: Respectable seventh when attempting to defend his Royal Hunt Cup crown at Royal Ascot, but has come up short all previous attempts in Group company; Needs lot more.
Lord Shanakill: Good miler for Karl Burke, having landed Prix Jean Prat three starts ago and coming home fifth in the Sussex; Looked just as good for new Cecil yard when third in Sussex and July Stakes; Got up to collar Dunelight but this much harder.
Lovelace: Regained some of best form, having won last 2 starts including a listed event; Slightly flattered by winning distance that day as Mia’s Boy was interfered with and needs to step up on all his subsequent form.
Main Aim: Started last year on a real streak, winning this very race, beating Arabian Gleam, Asset and Tariq; Good effort when second in Group 1 July Cup, but amiss on next 2 starts last year; Has comeback as good as ever this year, but he did bomb out badly in this when 6/5; Should be there or thereabouts but this isn’t easy.
Riggins: Only had 7 career starts but has won three of them, and his best effort came when second in 1m Royal Hunt Cup on latest start; This is much tougher than that though, so needs a lot more.
Air Chief Marshal: Made Alfred Nobel work very hard in the Phoenix Stakes last year and while not winning after that, he maintained his form at least; Has found new confidence with 2 wins in a week at the Curragh, and well worth shot here even though this is much tougher.
Red Jazz: Made all in Free Handicap at Newmarket in April and has come a long way since then, bettering that effort every time in defeat; Unlucky to be caught on all four occasions, and should hold a big chance; However, this will be a tough test and it’s hard to lead all the way in this race.
VERDICT: It’s obvious that Finjaan will have been primed for this, and he should take all the beating if in the same form. Red Jazz should go hard in - front but will have a job on leading this lot, and DALGHAR has an obvious chance back in trip and grade, assuming he settles better than last time when a respectable fifth in the Queen Anne. Air Chief Marshal can go well here too, although this a much tougher spot with Main Aim around.
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