Glorious Goodwood 2011 Day 4 - Supporting Races

Thanks in part to the second test, which starts today, there aren’t actually any tips for the Tote Mile (3.10) – I have no intention of using the word “Golden” – or at Galway. I know that I can follow Dermot Weld to the hills but I’m already well up for the week and if nothing takes the eye then it’s not worth going in.

I will give you the one horse that if pushed, I would have picked in the Totesport Mile and you can either follow or ignore this. As with many of the handicaps this week, this race revolves around one horse who looks thrown in. Green Destiny looks incredibly well handicapped after his John Smith's Cup win where he showed a scintillating turn of foot to come from almost last to beat Modun by three and a half lengths, who has since boosted the form in defeat on the first day. Having just a 3lbs penalty (even I must admit that looks lenient)  as he gets to race off a handicap mark of 101 when in the future he'd have to race of 109, he looks like a show in but in 20 runner fields things are never that simple and even then, 7/2 is too short for a race of this nature. His draw worked out but he’s a hold up horse so if he missed the break he’d already be in trouble and that’s without noting that he looks like a horse who is best with at least another furlong – The only time he’s won over a mile has been with ease in the ground, and that a while ago.

After a good look at the 1- year history for the race it can’t be helped but noticing that The Rectifier (above) fits the profile of a traditional winner. He comes from the inside six stalls (eight of the last 10 winners), races prominently (also eight out of the last 10), is rated between 90 and 106 (with a rating of 104, smack bang in the 100 to 106 band that has produced the last 5), and is 4 (which leads the age group for most wins). Along with those stats to back him up, he’s in good form having finished second in two strong listed races, with the form of his second to Nationalism having been boosted by Dux Scholar, and most importantly, he can lead at a good pace and stick there to the finish, so if he’s harassed his chances won’t simply drop, even though it would be preferred if he forced the pace.

Others that took my eye included Sagramor, who’s just a little short for my liking, Cai Shen, who was so devoid of pace at the July Festival I can’t possibly back him today, Dance And Dance, who’s tendency to dwell could ruin his chances here from stall 15 with topweight, Riggins, who’s now on a  workable mark and Namecheck, who’s more attractively handicapped than more and might go well from stall 11.