I was pleased to see Nanton, one of my favourite horses gain a well deserved success today and there were also wins for Askar Tau and Stoic from last night’s preview.
There is plenty of top class racing both in the UK and in Ireland tomorrow with the highlight being the St Leger (Doncaster 3.00) It may not be the strongest renewal of the final English Classic but it is quite a puzzle to sort out fpr all that. Both the main Irish challengers warrant respect. Mourayan looks sure to stay the Leger trip and his 3rd in the Irish Derby reads well. The chance of Changingoftheguard was given a boost by Nanton this afternoon and he is another with no stamina problems. One that still has a few questions to answer on that score is Great Voltigeur victor Monitor Closely. He stayed on well to win that race and may get the trip tomorrow although is not sure to do so on pedigree. I am going to be boring however and tip Kite Wood (pictured below). The horse is in good from having won his last two starts, the stable are going very well and the jockey has an excellent record in the race. My idea of the danger is Monitor Closely who holds the in consistent Father Time on their York running.
Judge ‘n Jury is the sole representative from my list to follow in the Portland Handicap at 3.00. He is a tough sort and has been running well but this looks a tough assignment. I don’t really have a strong view on this race although Johannes looks sure to go well while at bigger odds the Dandy Nicholls pair of Northern Dare and Buchaill Dona are worth considering.
Cat Junior was a little unlucky when 3rd at Good wood on his last start. He hasn’t won for over 2 years which tempers my enthusiasm for him a little in the 3.35. He has a good chance on form but I narrowly prefer Stimulation, a horse I followed with some success last season. He is making his first appearance this year but has gone well after a long break before. Arabian Gleam is another in the race with claims having won this race for the last two years but I will stick with Stimulation
Another horse returning after a long break is Secrecy in the 4.05. He has not looked the most straightforward in the past and of course his fitness has to be taken on trust but Godolphin are flying and the horse could be well handicapped. Espiritu could be a danger with Jamie Spencer in the saddle for another in form trainer in Jeremy Noseda. You could consider a small each way interest in the consistent Webbow at bigger odds,
In the 4.40 I am going for Azizi. He has solid form in races that have worked out well and should be suited by the trip.
Cloudy Start has been running well this season and should be suited by the track at Chester. He is the selection in the 3.55 there. The other runner from my list to follow at Chester is Trumpstoo in the 5.40. Basically he has been most disappointing and is hard to fancy.
In the 2.40 at Goodwood Palavicini has more scope for improvement than his rivals and should go well. The 5.30 looks to be between Invisible Man and Resort who both come into the race on the back of a win. Perhaps Invisible Man has the stronger claims. Magnetic Force can take the maiden at 4.55 for Sir Michael Stoute.
In the 4.30 at Goodwood I give Tamagin a solid each way chance. He has been running well in quality races and didn’t get the run of the race when 4th on his last start..
The 4.15 at Ffos Las is of particular interest to me as there are 3 from my list to follow in the line up. Chiberta King, Royal Diamond and Clowance have all won at least once this season. Of the trio I prefer Chiberta King who has only run badly once this season when not handling the track at Goodwood.
The big race over in Ireland is of course their St Leger where the great Yeats faces stern opposition, notably from Schiaparelli who should appreciate the underfoot conditions.
My thanks to British 2YO Racing for the photo of Kite Wood and to the artist Sarah Aspinall for her painting “The mile start at Goodwood.”
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