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Oisin Murphy is preparing for Glorious Goodwood

Oisin Murphy column: Tuesday and Wednesday rides for Glorious Goodwood including Kameko and Bell Rock

By Oisin Murphy

18:52 · MON July 27, 2020

Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy looks ahead to his Tuesday and Wednesday rides at Goodwood including Kameko in the Qatar Sussex Stakes.

I'm really looking forward to returning to the Qatar Goodwood Festival where the quality is always strong right through the week.

Ed Arkell and the team do a fantastic job there and I just hope the rain we're having doesn't get into the ground too much as the forecast for later in the week isn't too bad at all. But as we know, what will be will be.

Here's a guide to my rides on the first couple of days, featuring QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Kameko who returns to a mile in the Qatar Sussex Stakes on Wednesday.

TUESDAY

1.10 - Alabama Whitman

I rode her in the Sandringham and she wasn't totally disgraced and she's since run at Newmarket over seven furlongs.

She was quite highly tried as a two-year-old last year so has experience from Group races and the handicapper has cut her a bit of slack now. She wears cheekpieces for the first time and isn't without a chance.

1.45 - Bell Rock

I thought he'd go to Ascot with a massive chance having won a bit cosily on his reappearance at Newmarket, but he's definitely ready to go 10 furlongs now.

This race is on the outer loop so gives you a little bit more time in the straight even though the bend is still quite sharp. He's a well-balanced horse and I think he'll travel well into things and you need a bit of luck in these full-size handicaps. From stall four I hope to get an inside trip and then the gaps when I need them late on.

2.15 Youth Spirit

I was really happy with him at Newmarket and he's got a good profile going into the Vintage Stakes. He won't mind any ground at all to be honest and while it's a competitive race, he has a chance. Battleground is out of Found and the one to beat after winning the Chesham, while Devious Company hasn't done much wrong either.

Youth Spirit might be seen over a mile by the end of the season - pedigree would suggest that anyway. The owner was keen to have a crack at this race and I think it's justified despite having a bit to find on official figures.

2.45 - Bless Him

He's a cool horse and I'm delighted to be back on him having ridden him a couple of years ago. He might just have needed the first two runs of the season and I could see him running quite a big race.

His big-field handicap experience will stand him in good stead as this might be quite a tough race for more inexperienced horses.

3.15 - Euchen Glen

Euchen Glen is up against it in the Goodwood Cup and will likely have to settle for a minor role behind the star performers in this field.

I saw Stradivarius over the weekend and he looks amazing - he's such an athlete - and we have to celebrate these horses while they're still going strong.

Giving so much weight to the Irish Derby winner Santiago will be tough but it's a fascinating contest and one I'm delighted to be taking part in.

4.20 - Imperial Dawn

This looks quite a hot maiden and has been won by the likes of Masar in the past, but Imperial Dawn has only had the one run and is entitled to have learnt from it.

He didn't get the best trip at Newbury so I think he can step up on the form but whether he'll be good enough to win here I don't know. It's a race to watch with interest.

4.55 - Torbellino

She goes with a hood which probably won't be a bad thing. She maybe didn't quite stay at Newbury and coming back in trip will help.

I thought George Scott's Au Clair De Lune might be the one we all have to beat in this.

WEDNESDAY

1.10 - Be More

I like Be More and I hope a 4lb rise for winning at Sandown might not stop her. We always felt she had black type potential and I'm delighted her owners bought into her as she was formerly owned by George Strawbridge.

This looks the right race for her as I hope she's still on the improve. She's not ground dependent I don't think.

It's a nice race with Lake Lucerne, Waliyak and Nkosikazi but there's a lot to recommend Be More who is the type of filly Andrew has done so well with over the years.

2.45 - Night On Earth

He won well at Windsor but this is a big step up in class. It's a deep race and we don't know how good he is yet.

There's a lot to fear including Kevin Ryan's Ben Macdui, while Michael O'Callaghan brings over Steel Bull and they're very unexposed.

3.15 - Kameko

I'm very excited about Kameko going back to a mile. He's trained very well and it looks a hot race.

I'm drawn in stall two next to Siskin, with Mohaather near in four as well. Circus Maximus normally goes forward and Aidan O'Brien could have the first three 'in the run' with Wichita normally forwardly placed and Vatican City a strong stayer at the trip.

San Donato is a useful horse in his own right too so there's no weak link and it's exciting.

I was very impressed with what Mohaather did at Ascot but you would always expect a classy renewal of this race.

This time of year is a good time to take on the older horses given the weight allowance and we'll see what happens.

4.20 - Toro Strike

I ride Toro Strike for fellow Sporting Life man Richard Fahey. He's got a chance, he's a nice horse, but it's clearly a very competitive handicap.

It can be a little bit rough over seven furlongs around there and I'll have to get on the back of something that wants to go forward. I'm not madly in love with the middle draw but there's enough drawn around us to suggest I could get a good tow into it.

He ran well in the big nursery here last season so the track won't be an issue. We'll have to hope for the best.