Saeed Bin Suroor’s 4-year-old might find himself a little friendless in the market, but Seymour Biz reckons he’ll be the value pick in the Saturday’s feature contest. He has 4 great picks for your Lucky 15 flutter.
This week the television cameras are off to the switchback course of Goodwood. This beautiful course in Sussex is a notoriously difficult place at which to win and that is why surprise results come up so often. The Stewards Cup is the big race of the meeting, but the consolation cup is also a major race, it is also a great betting heat. Television cameras are also at Newmarket for a listed race to make up their programme. So we have plenty to get our teeth into this week and here are my thoughts on it.
I will start with the British Stallions Studs EBF Chalice Stakes (Newmarket). This race is at 2.05 and although stakes races don’t always offer a lot of value, this could be the exception. I really fancy John Gosden’s Highgarden to get off the mark for the season. Second a fortnight ago over this course and distance she was just run out of it by Worth Waiting. Prior to that she was highly tried at Royal Ascot and York, finishing close on both occasions. Melodic Motion ran too free in the Worth Waiting race and was hampered, she can improve on that. Sacred Path won on the all weather last time and is another from Gosden’s yard, but this is a big step up in class for her. Worth a mention is Crimson Rosette who ran over this course and distance at the July Cup meeting, she was slowly away that day so and with a better run can take a place.
The first race on the card at Goodwood is the Qatar Stewards Sprint Handicap at 1.50. This is the consolation race for the Stewards Cup but it is still a top class race when you look at past winners such as Hoof It and Golden Steps. Quench Dolly who won last time at Windsor is high in the betting but that was a poor race and theres a doubt she stays 6 furlongs. Open Wide ran poorly in that race and would need to improve substantially to figure here. Orion’s Bow was a beaten favourite last time at Redcar and was not suited by the undulations at that track, he may be more suited here. Swift Approval was second at Newmarket earlier in the month and was only headed in the last strides after hanging left. It was reported he lost a shoe that day and dropping back to his favoured 6 furlongs should suit him for this.
At 2.25 is the Qatar Summer Handicap with last years winner, Soldier In Action, returning to defend his crown. He has been unsuccessful so far this year and has dropped down the handicap because his form. With 12lbs less he must come into the equasion, but I am not really convinced. Another who has dropped down the handicap is Natural Scenery who flopped in th Northumberland Plate after hanging right, however Saeed Bin Suroor’s stable is in form at the moment so he could put in a better run. But I will look to Blakeney Point to provide the answer in this tricky contest. Roger Charlton’s gelding was slowly away last time when 5th behind Rainbow Rebel at Haydock at the beginning of the month, but he is 6lbs better off with that animal in this race. Pacify won well at York last time but he is up against some better contenders here, he could well run into a place at a nice price.
The main item on the agenda at Goodwood today is the Unibet Stewards Cup Handicap at 3.40. This cavalry charge was won last year by Lancelot Du Lac who returns for another tilt, however his best form this year is on the all weather and he would have to improve substantially to take this. The 2016 winner Dancing Star also returns and she has 7lbs less to carry than when she was victorious here, but her form this year has been poor. Ryan Moore has been booked for Spring Loaded, the grey has a 6lb penalty for his Ascot win and that could anchor him. Foxtrot Lady should get in but is another with a penalty and that may be too much for the three-year-old. I will plump for a big outsider from a top yard, that is Top Score trained by Saeed Bin Suroor. He ran second last week over 7 furlongs going down a neck to the progressive Mankib, but has been running better at 6 furlongs. His form this year has been top class and he can take a race of this quality. Ian Williams’s Aces is worthy of a mention, in his Epsom victory he had a lot of these behind him and he can run into a place at a nice price.
Saturday Lucky 15
2.05 Newmarket. Highgarden
1.50 Goodwood. Swift Approval
2.25 Goodwood. Blakeney Point
3.40 Goodwood. Top Score
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Contact Seymour Biz, with your own thoughts, tips and questions, at the following address: ahroberts99@yahoo.com