DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY JULY 28
1.50 GOODWOOD
Probably not the strongest renewals of this traditional 1m2f handicap to kick off the six-day bonanza on the Sussex downs and the one who stands out in terms of pure ability is DIEGO EL QUESO.
Just failing to overcome a poor draw and modest track position over a mile on his seasonal bow, Ger Lyon’s inmate soon made amends when upped in trip at Leopardstown next time out, taking the notable scalp of the well-fancied, Abbey Actress, who has since gone on to gain valuable black type at pattern level.
Back at the Dublin venue last time out, the son of Blue Point lined up for the always-informative Nasrullah Handicap as one of the main fancies and if it wasn’t for meeting plenty of trouble in running, he would have undoubtedly walked away with the 58k on offer.
As the eventual winner, Thread Of Gold, obtained a lovely clear passage down the outside of the field, the four-year-old got trapped in behind a wall of horses turning into the straight and by the time he had extricated himself from the pocket, the dye was cast.
Hitting the line hard with his long, powerful stride, the left the impression he was easily the best horse in the race and with connections seeking to follow fellow Irish raider, Take Heart, who landed this prize two years ago, only a derailment from the potentially unfavourable draw in stall 17 stands in his way.
DIEGO EL QUESO – 1-point each-way@9-2 (five places)
5.55 GOODWOOD
SING THE BLUES made a perfect start from her new base with a shock win at Newmarket last time out and she can prove that performance to be no fluke back at a track where she is the only previous C&D winner in the field.
Formerly with Wiliam Haggas, the daughter of Space Blues was picked up very cheaply for 6k at the Tattersalls June sale and she immediately made that price tag appear a bit of a bargain with the way she landed a very competitive fillies handicap on the July Course.
Held up at the rear of the field 11 days ago, Martin Dunne’s filly exhibited a sharp turn of foot to come sweeping passed the entire field in a short space of time and her time figure backed up the visual aspect of her display.
Considering that was her first outing for 251 days, it is safe to assume she will come on for the run and having already proven she can handle today’s track when making all in a novice event here last season, she comes across as being overpriced on her return visit.
SING THE BLUES – ½ point each-way@14-1 (five places)
6.45 GALWAY
Ado McGuiness has enjoyed quite a bit of success in this valuable mile contest over the years and in the shape of PIERRE ROYAL, he looks to have another strong contender to follow in the footsteps of Saltonstall and Sirjack Thomas.
A big eyecatcher at Limerick on his first outing since purchased for 48k out of Dermot Weld’s stable, the four-year-old was sent to The Curragh for his latest assignment in a red-hot premier handicap and after travelling sweetly throughout, he left his rivals for dead with a sharp turn of foot inside the final furlong.
Posting an extremely fast speed figure, on par with the likes of Benvenuto Cellini and Purview on the same card, the son of Kingman has presumable had this race as a target for some time and having been handed a reasonable draw to work from in box 7, everything looks set fair for a big run on his first visit to Ballybrit.
PIERRE ROYAL – 1-point each-way@5-1 (five places)