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GOODWOOD SELECTIONS

There is no Group 1 race on Friday at Goodwood but the emphasis is on speed, as far as is possible on this ground, with the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes (15:35) over 5f the feature race. This has been a shallow division this season and with Bradsell waiting for the Nunthorpe it is at the mercy of HIGHFIELD PRINCESS . She is a proven Group 1 performer. While yet to recapture the heights of last season she has still amassed a solid body of form, with her versatility a strong point as regards ground and trip.

Ideally a slightly higher draw would be a plus but with the ground chewed up from earlier in the week the stands rail may not be as crucial as it seemed on Wednesday. The ground will suit Nymphadora who could run well at a bigger price, but in all honesty the whole field are someway short of the level Highfield Princess consistently achieves and it is her race to lose.

The card commences with a marathon 2m 4f handicap (13:50), which in the ground is going to take stamina requirements to levels rarely seen outside of jumps races. While it pains me to desert old friend Calling the Wind, who won this race in 2021, the steadier of nearly ten stone in these conditions is a tough ask. Instead, the vote goes to MOSTLY SUNNY  , who was runner up in the Vase at Newcastle clocking a very similar time to that of Calling The Wind’s Plate success. Carrying just 8st 3lb could be a big plus here. His run in the Chester Cup consolation race, where he stayed on from a hopeless position, lends hope that he will still be staying on when others have cried enough.

Nostrum will likely be all the rage having dodged a Sussex Stakes clash with Paddington to contest the Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (14:25). This patient path was also taken by Baaeed in his early days and Sir Michael Stoute’s charge could make up into a genuine Group 1 performer by the end of the season. He is, however, unproven with cut in the ground. He also comes up against the fast improving DOCKLANDS  , who demolished his group when winning the Brittania at Royal Ascot having previously won on soft ground at the same track in May. His ability to handle the ground and the much bigger price makes him the selection.

STABLE TRACKER HORSE

FILM STAR  (20:00 Newmarket) was added to the list having just lost out in an above average looking race for the grade at Brighton. That impression was reinforced by the third horse winning next time out, and she should be suited by the step up in trip to a mile. This is a rise in class but she has performed well in all her handicap runs and is versatile regarding the ground.

JOCKEYS FOR COURSES

  • Bath – Finley Marsh (A/E 1.34. His home track and has always ridden it well)
  • Musselburgh – Sam James (A/E 1.57 including five winners already this season)
  • Newmarket July – P.J.McDonald (A/E 1.83 and just one ride Miggy Magic in 17:45)

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

One of the features of the big summer jumping day at Market Rasen is the fact that the more competitive feature races tend to be run at far stronger tempos than the usual jumps races at this time of year. This counted against GAVIN  (16:30 Bangor) who led fully three out in the valuable Summer Handicap Hurdle and didn’t last home. These are much calmer waters and he can regain the winning thread for the Bowens.

SELECTIONS

MOSTLY SUNNY   (13:50 Goodwood)

DOCKLANDS   (14:25 Goodwood)

HIGHFIELD PRINCESS  (15:35 Goodwood)

GAVIN  (16:30 Bangor)

FILM STAR  (20:00 Newmarket)