Some sneaky racegoers watch the action at Goodwood
Some sneaky racegoers watch the action at Goodwood

Simon Holt: Hear the Echo | Saturday's preview and tips


Top commentator Simon Holt picks out the best bets from Saturday's cards with Silent Echo fancied in the feature Stewards' Cup.

Recommended Bets: Saturday August 1

2pts win Ghaly in 12.55 Newmarket at 4/1

1pt win Hochfeld in 2.25 Goodwood at 10/1

1pt win Rosadora in 2.45 Newmarket at 12/1

1pt e.w Silent Echo in 3.35 Goodwood at 28/1

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record


SATURDAY'S Unibet Stewards Cup provides the climax to the Qatar Goodwood Festival and SILENT ECHO seems to have been ignored in the betting despite some solid form in big sprint handicaps.

Eighth in this race two years ago when hampered at the start, the six-year-old has also run well in two Wokinghams, finishing fifth to Bacchus in 2018 and fifth again to Hey Jonesy (Summerghand second, Gulliver fourth) last month despite a slow start.

Now 3lb better off with Hey Jonesy and 8lb better off with his subsequent Newbury conqueror Nahaarr when not getting the clearest of runs, the guaranteed strong pace here will really suit this strong finisher who, at a big price, will be passing rivals quickly in the closing stages.

It's possible that Nahaar is a future Group horse, like last year's easy winner Khaadem, but he needs to defy a 7lb rise while last year's fourth Summerghand now has to carry top weight and is 8lb worse off with the selection on their Wokingham running last month.

The Ascot fourth Gulliver has also gone up 5lb (having run well at The Curragh subsequently) yet the selection is double the odds of these rivals now.

Earlier, HOCHFELD could be worth a punt in the Unibet Summer Handicap.

Mark Johnston's six-year-old looks to be returning to form after a winnerless spell and ran his best race for some time when fourth to Mancini and Platitude at Sandown last time despite not being able to adopt his preferred dominating tactics.

One of three Johnston runners here, he looks likely to be left alone on the lead this time and, if so, could well turn the tables on Platitude off a mark some 10lb below his peak rating off which he ran third to Sir Chauvelin in this race two years ago.

At Newmarket, GHALY should appreciate a drop in distance in the MansionBet Bet £10 Get £20 Handicap after a promising run in his first handicap at York recently.

The son of Dubawi moved well on the Knavesmire, leading two furlongs out but ran like a clear non-stayer over the mile-and-a-quarter trip and weakened into fourth behind the useful Rhythmic Intent.

Now back to a mile, this still lightly-raced and well-bred four-year-old (he hails from the family of Giants Causeway and Gleneagles) should take the beating against some exposed rivals.

Finally, in the It's Not Rocket Science At MansionBet Handicap, it may be worth taking a chance on ROSADORA making a winning reappearance for trainer Ralph Beckett who can ready a horse well after a break.

The daughter of Camacho ran some solid races last season, chasing home recent winner Oti Ma Boati at Doncaster before finishing fourth behind Graceful Magic (now rated 95) and Rose Of Kildare (103) at Newmarket and then third behind Graceful Magic and Stylistique (104) at Doncaster.

Off a mark of just 85, Rosadora looks potentially well handicapped yet is a value price in this small field.

Posted at 1620 BST on 31/07/20


Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible 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 on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING