Andrew Balding: We would love some more rain on Wednesday
The Betway ambassador previews all seven races on the second day of Glorious Goodwood, including how he expects his four runners to fare.
On to day two of Glorious Goodwood and I was pleased to see some rain hit the Sussex Downs yesterday. To be honest, we would love it if there was some more on Wednesday too but the forecast is looking pretty dry at the moment.
13:50
No runner for us in the big staying handicap, but I’m sure plenty will be supporting Lil Rockerfeller after his runaway win last year.
He has obviously gone up a lot in the weights since then, but he got the job done so well that he must have a chance again.
Dubawi Fifty ran an excellent race in the Northumberland Plate while The Grand Visir won well at Royal Ascot and if the ground softens up he will certainly appreciate it.
14:25
We’re looking forward to running Tribal Craft in the 1m4f handicap, although it’s difficult to know how she will run.
She has been very impressive on her last two starts, but they have been in small field maidens and she has a lot more on her plate here in a big field taking on the colts.
Any rain that falls will be to her advantage and she’s a very good stayer. We’ve been happy with her work and she’s stepped up each time she has raced.
I think her mark of 89 is very fair based on what she has achieved on her last two starts, but we’ll know more after the race.
15:00
The Molecomb looks a strong race and John Quinn’s Liberty Beach is the obvious one after her impressive win at Sandown on Eclipse day.
She gets the fillies’ allowance which will be a big help and I also think Tom Dascombe’s filly, Dr Simpson, can go well. She couldn’t have won any easier at Chester last time and this could end up being a race for the fillies.
15:35
The Sussex Stakes is the big race of the day and the most valuable of the entire meeting. We were lucky enough to win it with Here Comes When two years ago when the deluge of rain worked massively to our advantage. I’d love it if Mother Nature did the same thing this year.
We run Happy Power in the hope that more rain than forecast arrives. He’s a useful horse but he’s 10lbs better on soft ground and if it was to turn soft he could run into the places.
In all honesty, though, I think Too Darn Hot is head and shoulders above these now that he is seemingly back to his best.
I don’t think there’s a huge amount between the ones behind him and if we get some proper rain we’d be hopeful of picking up some decent prize money.
16:10
No runner for us in the fillies’ conditions race over five furlongs and despite just seven runners it looks a competitive enough race.
Charlie Hills’ Flippa The Strippa won well at Sandown in May and she wasn’t disgraced by any means in the Queen Mary. She’d be the one for me.
16:45
We run Ocala in the fillies’ handicap and she has been in good form this season. She would definitely appreciate some give in the ground as she’s by Nathaniel.
She is improving and any more rain would be a major plus to her chances.
17:55
Whitefountainfairy is another of ours who ideally needs rain. She was placed in a Group race as a two-year-old, but she’s had a few niggles and has been tough to train.
We’re very happy with her at the moment and she’s just been waiting for her ground. If it goes soft, she should run very well.
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