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Today’s bets:
2.10 - Goodwood:
Sweet Lightning - 2 pts win. Available at 6/1 (General) 2nd 11/2 :waaaht:
Drumfire - 1 pt e/w. Available at 16/1 (Sportingbet) 1st 8/1 - 12's easily available earlier
A competitive handicap to kick off the Festival and one in which a win by any of the field would not come as a total surprise. Sweet Lightning made a reasonable return to action after a near three month break at York last time out and, considering he was drawn very wide, the performance can be upgraded a little. He was behind a few of these at Epsom in April but, from a poor draw, he never got the clearest of runs and he has a chance of reversing those places on slightly better terms. That was his first experience of a downhill track and, the fact he handled it, will hold him in good stead this afternoon. He is only in his second season racing so it's possible there is a little bit of improvement still to come. Drumfire is normally seen in Group/Listed company and makes his handicap debut in his 21st race. He has to shoulder top weight but most of his form over the past twelve months compares favourably with his allotted mark of 107. He takes a welcome drop back in trip and has experience of this C/D. Seems to handle any ground and represents a powerful, in form yard who have won two of the last ten renewals of this race.
3.45 - Beverley - Requisite - 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1 (General)
Went well in the visor the first two races it was applied but disappointed in it at Newbury last time out. However that was his third race in twelve days and it came on ground which was probably quicker than ideal. Given a month off and back on a slightly easier surface he may resume in the form he was showing at Ripon and Yarmouth earlier last month. He is still three pounds below his winning form of last season and has gone well over a stiff five furlongs in the past. Well drawn, he represents a stable in reasonable form and they send just the one on the trek north from their Berkshire base.
4.00 - Goodwood:
Mister Manannan - 1 pt win. Available at 10/1 (Skybet)
Mdawee - 0.5 pts e/w. Available at 33/1 (General)
Not a race to get heavily involved with because, on all known form, Monsieur Chevalier should win. However this is one of the sharper tests he has faced and a downhill track doesn't give him a lot of time to get organised. He probably has the class to prevail but small stakes on a couple of his much bigger priced rivals looks the way to go. Mister Manannan was disappointing at Ascot last time out but he was said to have suffered sore shins and he could be a different proposition on today's easier ground. He was impressive at Pontefract in good ground and, after just three races, there should be more improvement to come. Mdawee is not well weighted with a few of these who have already beaten him but he is all about speed. From stall one he has the opportunity to build up a lead and, with a left handed rail to run against he could stay there longer than his price predicts. His jockey does well over sprint trips on downhill tracks.
4.20 - Beverley - Blue Charm - 0.5 pts e/w. Available at 25/1 (General)
4.35 - Goodwood - Rajeh - 1 pt e/w. Available at 11/1 (General)
Cool Strike did us a favour last time out and the weight for age allowance at this time of year over middle distances is a big asset. He looks likely to improve for the step up in trip but on this occasion, at almost double his price, Rajeh is preferred. He made good progress at this trip last season and dropped a hint over twelve furlongs at York last time out that he could be running into peak form. His regular jockey of the last campaign returns to the saddle and a tenuous line through Sanbuch gives Rajeh a chance of getting competitive with Waldvogel. He seems to act on any ground, has C/D form and comes from a yard in good form. The selection is just one of two horses they have entered for this Festival.
5.10 - Goodwood - Marajaa - 1 pt e/w. Available at 14/1 (General) 1st 12/1 :boss: