DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY JULY 29
2.30 GOODWOOD
Kinross is the obvious starting point for this Group 2, having excelled in the race in the past, but stall 10 and ground on the quicker side than ideal might prove a barrier to entry at his advancing years and he is passed over in favour of the younger legs of NOBLE CHAMPION (best price 6-1) and WITNESS STAND (best price 20-1).
The former finally repaid his trainer’s faith with a commanding victory in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and, with third and fourth having gone on to prove the value of the form since, Ed Walker’s inmate probably deserves more respect than the market is affording him.
Additionally, he carries forward a strong run under his belt over today’s course from a previous encounter and with seven furlongs now looking to be his optimum, this talented colt looks set to prove his latest success was no fluke.
The latter wouldn’t have the sexy profile of many of his rivals, but he does seem to love today’s track and his latest effort when just touched off by the useful Holguin indicates he arrives her in good form.
Winner of a competitive C&D handicap off a mark of 97 at this meeting last year, he followed up that effort with another solid run on his return later in the same month and having gone and bagged a decent inside draw – the same stall as 12 months ago – he could easily prove to be the joker in the pack.
NOBLE CHAMPION – 1-point win@6-1
WITNESS STAND – ½ point each-way@20-1 (four places)
3.05 GOODWOOD
Illinois did precious little wrong in the Gold Cup other than just find the super-tough Trawlerman too strong on the day and this genuine Group 1 horse deserves to be favourite on all known form.
The big question, however, will be whether he can keep stable mate SCANDINAVIA (best price 5-2) at bay, rather than any trip or track concerns and at the prices, Aidan O’Brien’s supposed second string could easily prove to be the better value of the pair in the quest for yard bragging rights.
The son of Justify was extremely well supported in his bid to bounce back from a slightly unlucky outcome in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot (forced to race wide throughout) and, in what turned out to be a very strongly run Bahrain Trophy, he raced far more amenably before going on to record a facile success.
Seemingly inspired to greater heights thanks to the first-time cheekpieces, he was also very strong at the business end and with today’s extra three furlongs likely to suit, the improving three-year-old can stake his claim to dine at the top table for years to come.
SCANDINAVIA – 1-point win@5-2
3.45 GOODWOOD
JAKAJARO (best price 8-1) left the impression he would have had something to say to the outcome of a similar contest at Ascot recently and despite fears of the exact same thing happening again, a chance is taken on Jamie Spencer charting a more circuitous route this time around.
Ridden aggressively to no avail at Newcastle the time before, Robert Cowell’s inmate was dropped in behind the speed at the Berkshire venue in a bid to be produced late and as things panned out, the change of tactics ended up backfiring.
Running into a wall of horses at the furlong, the four-year-old spent the later stages hard on the bridle without nowhere to go, but at least it was a display that suggested he has the quality for races of that nature and today’s contest looks the most logical one on the sprint handicap rota over the minimum trip.
Potentially drawn favourably towards the stands side fence next to where all the pace and best horses are congregated, compensation awaits him from being ‘Spencered’ last time out.
JAKAJARO – ½ point each-way@8-1
6.10 GALWAY
ORANDI (best price 11-2) looks to have been saved specifically for this race having not run since a valiant third in the Lincoln and with what potentially could turn out to be a very favourable draw, Tony Martin’s inmate can execute the plan.
The son of Morandi made light work of a mark of 88 in the Irish version on the first start for 133 days back in April and although he failed in his bid to complete a famous double a week later, he lost nothing in defeat.
The way he travelled throughout the race on Town Moor, much like the way he did at the Curragh, suggested he remained a handicapper going places and it will surely all be down to whether he receives a clear run around the inside rather than the intricacies of any weights and measure debates.
Of the rest, both Norwalk Havoc (second in the race last year) and Grey Leader come into the equation on account of their previous track form and the more rain the better their chances.
ORANDI – 1-point each-way@11-2 (four places)