A look at day 4 of #GloriousGoodwood.

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Fri 4th Aug 2023
1.50 Goodwood (18 runners)
Coral Goodwood Handicap
2m4½f

Based on the system notes, Timewise ratings, and comments, here’s a summary of the race and the top 3 picks:

Race Summary:
The Coral Goodwood Handicap is a competitive 2 miles and 4½ furlongs race with 18 runners. The ground is soft, which could be a significant factor for some of the contenders. The field includes a mix of experienced stayers and improving horses, making it an intriguing and open contest.

Top 3 Picks:

  1. Calling The Wind (IRE): A cast-iron stayer with an excellent track record. He won this race two years ago and recently secured victory in the Northumberland Plate over a similar distance. No ground preferences and hard to knock.
  2. Tritonic: A talented dual-purpose horse who finished second behind Calling The Wind in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes. Handles soft ground well and is a threat over this trip.
  3. Law Of The Sea: Making his stable debut, he was a close fourth in the Chester Cup and performed well in subsequent handicaps. Unexposed on soft ground, and cheekpieces could enhance his chances.

It’s worth noting that this is a competitive race, and several other runners have strong chances as well. However, based on the system qualifiers and recent performances, Calling The Wind, Tritonic, and Law Of The Sea are the top three picks to consider for this handicap at Goodwood.

Fri 4th Aug 2023
2.25 Goodwood (7 runners)
Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)
1m

Based on the system notes, Timewise ratings, and comments, here’s a summary of the race and the top 3 picks:

Race Summary:
The Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes is a Group 3 race over 1 mile at Goodwood, featuring a small but competitive field of seven runners. The ground is soft, which could be a factor to consider in the analysis. The race includes some promising and established three-year-olds, making it an interesting contest.

Top 3 Picks:

  1. Nostrum: The clear favorite, with impressive performances on good to firm ground. Recently justified favoritism in a 1-mile Listed event at the Newmarket July festival on a belated reappearance. Top on form and expected to improve further. However, he is untested on soft ground, which could be a minor concern.
  2. Docklands: This improving colt boasts a strong record, winning the Britannia at Royal Ascot and showing clear Group-race potential. His last win was on good to firm, but he acts on soft ground and is considered a serious contender.
  3. Bold Discovery (USA): Displayed mixed form this season but showcased a new level of performance in a Curragh Listed event over 1 mile on good to firm ground. He performed well in previous Group 3 attempts, including on heavy ground. If he maintains that form, he could be competitive.

Fri 4th Aug 2023
3.00 Goodwood (20 runners)
Coral Golden Mile (Heritage Handicap)
1m

Based on the system notes, Timewise ratings, and comments, here’s a summary of the race and the top 3 picks:

Race Summary:
The Coral Golden Mile is a highly competitive Class 2 Heritage Handicap at Goodwood, covering a distance of 1 mile (1760 yards). There are 20 runners declared for this race on soft ground, making it a challenging contest for the contenders. Several horses have shown good form in previous races, and the handicap nature of the event adds to the excitement.

Top 3 Picks:

  1. Lattam (IRE): Progressive and improving, Lattam has demonstrated his ability on testing ground, winning the Irish Lincoln on soft/heavy. He also scored at Newcastle AW in June. His form suggests that he can cope with the unconventional track at Goodwood, and his recent performances make him a top pick for this race.
  2. Awaal (IRE): A heavy-ground winner on handicap debut in October, Awaal has put in three strong performances in top handicaps at 1 mile and 7 furlongs on various ground conditions. The switch to a sharper track than Doncaster (Lincoln) may suit him better. With cheekpieces now and ridden by top apprentice Harry Davies, he poses a solid chance.
  3. Blue For You (IRE): Unlucky to finish second in this race last year, Blue For You gained compensation at York next time and was impressive in his recent win at the same track. Despite carrying a small penalty, he is due for a further rise in the handicap. His form on soft ground as a 2-year-old adds to his appeal, and he is respected for a yard that has won two of the last three runnings.

Other Contenders:
Al Mubhir, Orbaan, Perotto, and Tacarib Bay are also worth considering due to their proven form and suitability on soft ground. It’s a wide-open race, and several runners have the potential to upset the top picks.

Overall, the Coral Golden Mile is a fiercely competitive handicap, and any of the leading contenders can stake their claim for victory. Lattam, Awaal, and Blue For You appear to have strong credentials, but it’s a race where anything can happen, and the betting market is likely to provide further insights.

Fri 4th Aug 2023
3.35 Goodwood (11 runners)
King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)
5f

Based on the provided information, here is a summary of the race and my top three picks:

Race Summary:
The race is the King George Qatar Stakes, a Group 2 event, held at Goodwood over a distance of 5 furlongs (1100 yards) on soft ground. There are 11 runners in the race, and the average Official Rating (OR) of the horses is 106.

Top Three Picks:

  1. Highfield Princess (FR) – With an impressive total score and excellent form, Highfield Princess stands out as the top pick. She has three Group 1 wins at about 6 furlongs and 5 furlongs, including on soft ground, making her a strong contender in this race.
  2. Equality – Showing good recent form, Equality has won a Group 3 race at Sandown on good ground. While he hasn’t excelled in previous C&D attempts, he has the potential for a good place chance if the ground is okay.
  3. Nymphadora – This filly has been improving steadily and showed promise with a win in a Listed race at York on good to soft ground. She might need further improvement to challenge the top two picks, but her recent performances make her an interesting contender.

Fri 4th Aug 2023
4.10 Goodwood (7 runners)
LOrmarins Kings Plate Glorious Stakes (Group 3)
1m4f

Based on the provided information, here is a summary of the race and my top three picks:

Race Summary:
The race is the LOrmarins Kings Plate Glorious Stakes, a Group 3 event, held at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2638 yards) on soft ground. There are 7 runners in the race, and the average Official Rating (OR) of the horses is 106.

Top Three Picks:

  1. Hamish – A solid Group 3 performer, Hamish has been in excellent form this season, winning both the Ormonde Stakes at Chester and the John Smith’s Silver Cup at York. With only a 3lb penalty and being effective over this distance last autumn, he looks to be the leading contender in this race.
  2. Mimikyu – Although encountering faster ground in recent Group races, Mimikyu has proven her ability on good/softer surfaces, winning the 2022 Park Hill at Doncaster. With first-time cheekpieces and back on a slower surface, she could put up a good performance.
  3. Candleford (IRE) – Impressive in a Royal Ascot handicap last year, Candleford has not had much racing this season and is unraced on soft/heavy ground. However, based on his previous form, he remains of interest and has potential to be in the mix.

Fri 4th Aug 2023
4.45 Goodwood (15 runners)
Ire-Incentive It Pays To Buy Irish Nursery
6f

Based on the provided information, here is a summary of the race and my top three picks:

Race Summary:
The race is the Ire-Incentive It Pays To Buy Irish Nursery, a Class 2 event, held at Goodwood over a distance of 6 furlongs (1320 yards) on soft ground. There are 15 runners in the race, and the average Official Rating (OR) of the horses is 80.

Top Three Picks:

  1. Mauna Loa – This filly has shown promise in her recent outings, including a win at Pontefract over 6 furlongs on good to firm ground. She could continue to progress and may have a good chance in this nursery race.
  2. Specific Times – Coming off a strong win at York over 6 furlongs on good to soft ground, Specific Times has shown the ability to handle the distance and is open to further improvement. With Jason Hart onboard, he is a contender.
  3. Starlust – With two wins in his last three starts, Starlust has been in good form over 6 furlongs and is well treated in the weights. Considering his all-the-way win at Newbury on good ground, he could be a strong contender in this race.

Fri 4th Aug 2023
5.20 Goodwood (14 runners)
Coral Handicap
1m3f

Based on the provided information, here is a summary of the race and my top three picks:

Race Summary:
The race is the Coral Handicap, a Class 3 event held at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile and 3 furlongs (2464 yards) on soft ground. There are 14 runners in the race, and the average Official Rating (OR) of the horses is 84.

Top Three Picks:

  1. Nader King (IRE) – Coming off a clear second-place finish at Salisbury over 1 mile and 4 furlongs on good to firm ground, Nader King is well treated in the weights and has previously shown his ability on soft ground. With potential for further improvement, he is a strong contender in this race.
  2. Balance Play (IRE) – Impressive winner at Chester over 1 mile and 2 furlongs on good to soft ground, Balance Play has been in good form and should progress further. His ability to handle soft ground is a positive, and he is well fancied in this competitive field.
  3. Intricacy – Showed promise with first-time cheekpieces at Ascot over 1 mile and 2 furlongs on good to soft ground. The retained headgear could bring out further improvement, and Intricacy’s consistency makes him a contender for the top spots.

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