Today's tips: Racing preview and best bets
Our star daily duo of Rory Delargy and David Massey are back with a look ahead to today's racing at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Racing betting tips: Friday August 2
1pt e.w. Super Superjack in the 1.50 Goodwood at 6/1 (Sky Bet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) - take now lower
1pt e.w. Darkness in the 3.00 Goodwood at 15/2 (Sky Bet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) - min 6/1
0.5pts e.w. Assailant in the 5.20 Goodwood at 13/2 (Sky Bet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5) - min 6/1
1.50 Goodwood
There was a time when this was seen as a consolation for the Goodwood Cup, with that race traditionally run over this marathon trip until 1991. It's long been one of my favourite races with the flag start in front of the stands adding a touch of ‘olde worlde’ glamour to the event.
Last year I was ultra-sweet on the chances of Temporize, who was thrown in off a mark of 82 and he delivered in style. He’s held his form well since, defying a mark of 89 under an excellent Connor Beasley ride at Newbury last time, for which he’s been raised 3lb. He’s versatile ground-wise, which is a big plus, and although he’s 10lb higher a year on, he does relish a marathon trip and I think he’s capable of keeping the handicapper at bay once more, although there are a couple of dangers worth noting and/or including in exotics.
Spirit Mixer was seventh to Temporize at Newbury, but he was unsuited by the steady pace that day. His third to Tenerife Sunshine here in June showed that he needs a test at 2m and will stay further. He is gradually getting back to the form he showed as a four-year-old after a long absence, notably making Trueshan pull out all the stops in the 2022 Northumberland Plate, and is well treated now if refinding that form from 11lb lower.
SUPER SUPERJACK looks laid out for this, looking unsurprisingly burly in the paddock at Nottingham two starts ago after a long absence, but there was a big hint dropped at Ascot last time when he ran on from the rear to finish an eye-catching sixth. Now 2lb lower than when second in this two years ago, the booking of Tom Marquand takes the eye and a big run is clearly expected.
At the morning prices, he looks the each-way bet.
2.25 Goodwood
Al Musmak's win in the Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket last time out is the best bit of recent form in the field, but he probably needs some rain to arrive to show his form (always possible in West Sussex) and he’s opposable if it stays fast.
It’s hard to know what the problem was with Dancing Gemini in the Eclipse at Sandown last time with no excuse offered, but he’s worth another chance back at a mile and down markedly in class after finishing a close second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains on his return. A blatant non-stayer in the Derby, even the stiff ten furlongs of the Eclipse might have been too much of a test, and he’s expected to outclass his opponents if back on his A-game here.
At bigger prices, Socialite makes appeal an each-way alternative. He was behind Al Musmak and Lead Artist at Newmarket but was easily the pick of the paddock that day, and simply did too much on his own up front.
There’s a fair chance Socialite will get an easy lead again here, and a return to better ground could also help, but I think this is a case of Tom Marquand getting the fractions right this time.
He beat King’s Gamble readily at Doncaster the time before, making all, and he’s the one that looks overpriced of the opposition.
3.00 Goodwood
DARKNESS has a better draw to work from for the Golden Mile (stall 8) than he would have done for the 7f handicap he was taken out of on Wednesday, as it increases his chances of going three better than he did last year when fourth to Johan on ground softer than he ideally wants.
He’s also done rather well to be on a lower mark than last year given his two most recent efforts - a ready three-length win at Newmarket followed by a somewhat unlucky fifth in the Bunbury Cup where he seemed to lose his footing just as the race was developing meaning he was caught out of his ground and had to challenge away from the others on the unfavoured far side of the track.
For all he does most of his racing over 7f, there’s not a lot wrong with his record over a mile, and he’s clearly at the top of his game having endured a rather quiet spell until winning two starts back.
Perotto is a solid alternative having decent form both at this meeting and recently, so heads the list of dangers, while Rhoscolyn appeals at bigger odds. He goes well on a track like this, with his Goodwood record reading 123031011. He was second to Maydanny in this a few seasons ago and had no luck in the run last year when there were a host of hard-luck stories.
3.35 Goodwood
This looks an ideal chance for Big Evs to bounce back to winning ways, with this speed-favouring track very much in his favour. Winner of the Molecomb here last year on ground that he wouldn’t have found to his advantage, he showed some terrific grit to land the prize.
He went on to land the Breeders Cup Juvenile Sprint Turf win at Santa Anita, and judged on his close third to Asfoora in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, he retains all of his ability.
I'd even mark the Ascot effort up a touch, as he did plenty on the front end on a stiff course; this easier track will play to his main strength and I take him to reverse the Ascot form with Asfoora, who won’t be used to such undulations.
5.20 Goodwood
We were keen on ASSAILANT running a big race at Royal Ascot in the King George V Handicap and his ninth, beaten just under five lengths, does not do justice to how well he ran.
Sent off 27 on Betfair, he traded 4/1 in the run when coming to throw down a challenge two furlongs out and looked a threat to all, but he got a bump and faded out of it late.
He's fared poorly with the draw, pulling stall 14, but Oisin takes over in the saddle and if he's held onto a little longer this time, we can see him taking a hand in finish regardless of stall position.
Preview posted 1026 BST on 02/08/24
Want to know more about horse welfare within our sport?
Recent success
- Get Up Mush 3/1
- Alflaila 9/4
- Olivers Travels 13/2
- Glory Call 15/2
- Forcing Bull 6/1
- Outreach 9/2
- Red Hat Eagle 4/1
- Harvanna 2/1
- Captain's Pick 13/2
- Golden Rainbow 11/2
- Porta Fortuna 5/1
- Jayarebe 10/1
- Ain't Nobody 14/1
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.