Andrew Balding: How I rate our 9 weekend runners' chances
The Betway ambassador previews his weekend rides, including seven on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Sunday Goodwood runners
Berkshire Rebel is having his first run in the 14:50. He is a horse we like and is one we feel will stay well in time. As ever, you never know how they’ll go first time out, but he may just need the experience.
Tactical was a big disappointment in the Hungerford Stakes last time out. He got shuffled back in the middle part of the race and stayed on at the end.
We’ve worked him in blinkers to try and sharpen him up and he wears them for the first time in a race here (16:00). We hope he can get his season back on track.
Saturday Goodwood runners
We’ve got two runners in the Prestige Stakes (13:50).
Wilderness Girl won well over course and distance at the big summer meeting here. She’s a filly we like a lot and we’ve been very happy with her work.
The slight question mark is whether it could get too quick for her. We feel she would be more comfortable on ground with a bit of ease in it.
On the other hand, Star From Afarhh didn’t look comfortable on slower ground in the Betway Solario Stakes at Sandown last weekend, so she would be suited by faster conditions. She is better than she showed last week, too.
Classic Lord has improved a lot this season. He’s very versatile ground-wise and he stays well. The March Stakes (15:00) is a big step up in class, but I hope he can be competitive.
Happy Power is often a difficult horse to place as he’s a 7f specialist, and there just aren’t that many races for him.
He has twice run well over 1m here, which is good news as he could turn out to be a Goodwood specialist, which always helps. He’s got the ability to run well in the Celebration Mile (15:35).
Saturday Windsor runners
Sir Henry Cotton ran well at Goodwood last month from a poor draw and has been given another tricky one in the Novice Stakes (16:55).
He’s finding his feet and is ready to win at some stage, he just needs a bit of luck with these draws.
Fox Tal is a slight enigma. For a horse of his ability, he should have a better winning ratio. He ran very well last time out and appeared to stay well so, if he’s on a going day, he could go well (18:00).
Bangkok is a great servant to the yard. It’s difficult finding races that he can be competitive in but the Winter Hill Stakes (18:30) looks a good opportunity, although he has to carry a 5lb penalty. He’s a good horse on his day.
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