Glorious Goodwood 2011 Day 2 - Supporting Races

Apologies for a very blow par day at Glorious Goodwood, which could have been all the better but for a couple of heads in the first two races. That’s life however, and hopefully we can get back on track thoughought the week, as today is by no means any easier. At least Richard Hughes had a double and is currently the leading jockey for the week.

Also, with two seconds proving costly the advice to anyone who actually follows the information posted here (for Goodwood and Galway) is to try and bet with Boylesports or William Hill (through the Racing Post app) on your mobiles so that you get money back for second.

For the first time in a long while I’m not putting up anything in the opening marathon handicap as nothing really makes a huge amount of appeal. It might not be as competitive as the numbers suggest and apart from Addawaitya (who surely can only improve for this trip having been given too much to do over 2m at Newbury behind easy winner and subsequent scorer Keys) the two to concentrate on would be hurdlers Sprit Of Adjasa and Liberate, with preference for the former given that he’s had a recent run (35 days) and has won that outing too, so is clearly fit and in form and while I wouldn’t put anyone off, 6/1 for him is still just a little short for my liking.

The UBS Stakes is another handicap which is full of likely types but it might be best to pay a good look at Amanda Perett’s runners. She targets Goodwood like few others do (19 - 195 coming into last year’s meeting since 2005) and has won two of the last four renewals, so give close attention to Four Nations and Pivotman.

Many will be going for the former with his young rider's claim a big help but if the latter finds the form which saw him dismiss Carlton House on debut (albeit in soft ground) then he will win and win puling double. That said, it’s impossible to recommend a flash back to form like that and it’s another trainer who loves Goodwood that we turn to. Mark Johnston had his 50^th winner at this meeting thanks to Nambian and his Sadler’s Risk is sure to run a massive race despite a big topweight.

Salder's Risk - (background) - Can defy a big weight

He’s always been the handicapping type but his trainer must have thought a lot of him to enter him in a valuable Newmarket sales race and then also the Chester Vase, which has been one of the best renewals of recent years thanks to the exploits of the three that finished infront of him. He wasn’t beaten at all far that day and can go well here, with his Group race form getting him the vote over Halifax, who was well held in the Queen’s Vase but should go far better in this race for Kieren Fallon.

Arch Fire is of obvious interest for last year’s connections and while the step up in trip will allow him to travel more comfortably there are about 5 or 6 who have more imposing claims and he’ll need to be a good bit better than his mark to take this.

We’ve had a good start to the week at Galway and while the Plate (5.25) hasn’t been my best friend although I came very close to winning it last year with the second and third. Many seem particularly sweet on 2009 Hurdle winner Bahrain Storm, who arrives at the top of his game after a victory at Killarney earlier in the month. Off the same mark he’ll give Shay Barry a great spin but at 13/2 there’s better value to be found in the race.

Blazing Tempo’s (right) progress over the last year is remarkably similar to that of Pomme Tiepy form the same stable and all the signs are there that she’s going to make a bold bid at 10/1. A two time Grade 3 winner earlier on, she ran with huge credit at the Cheltenham Festival and was then unlucky to run into what was a Grade 1 performer masquerading at handicap level in Wishfull Thinking when second at Punchestown, having had the rest all easily beaten. This isn’t any easier byt the feeling is that shes well handicapped, certainty enough to make her a big player here.

The other horse I was thinking of was Quinton but his 11lbs rise, coupled with the shocking record of UK Raiders (apart from Oslot, who was only the second in 21 years to successfully take the prize back) put me off, alone with the fact that this was a far better contest than the Summer Plate even though he won with miles in hand.

And last but not least, the banker of the day is Mutsharef (4.45) at Galway in the Tote Trifecta (Q.R.) Maiden. A slow start on his debut in April, he made a lot of good late headway and the winner has since gone tonto score in Listed company and the second is group class, so over 1m4f second time out with the claimers 3lbs pull to help he can do the business for the on – fire Dermot Weld team.

Advice

3 pts win Mutasharef, 4.45 Galway (10/11 Boylesports)

1 pt each/way Sadler’s Risk, 3.45 Goodwood (9/1 VC Bet)

1 pt each/way Blazing Tempo, 5.25 Galway (10/1 Stan James)