Headgear can sharpen up veteran Suedois
Steve Hughes provides his best bets for Galway and Goodwood on Tuesday
One of the big weeks of the racing year kicks into top gear on Tuesday as Glorious Goodwood joins Galway. Heavy showers makes predicting a little difficult given we are not going to be sure of ground conditions, but hopefully these view will pay their way. Neverushacon made fifth for the each-way bet last night (advised 16/1).
Goodwood 1.50: Setting Sail & Ventura Knight
Narrowly defeated in another of the big 10f handicaps, Setting Sail has an obvious chance of quick compensation in the curtain raiser to Glorious Goodwood.
The 4yo likes to race prominently and should be favoured by this speed track. Indeed he won his maiden here in 2017 on soft ground, so not only will the track be fine but any rain should not compromise his chances. Despite a lofty mark of 104 he remains unexposed and looks a group race performer in the making.
Any rain would compromise the chances of Ventura Knight, but this track and distance could be the optimum conditions for Mark Johnston’s gelding. He just seems to lack the raw pace over a mile at this level and a couple of times has seemed vulnerable at 10f, notably when fading late into third in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar. However this trip is just short of 10f, he has a favoured inside stall and the booking of Ryan Moore looks a positive.
Goodwood 3.00: Suedois
A veteran at the age of eight, Suedois has won his share of decent races, but whilst his career win record is 8-43, he has been second or third in twenty of those races. That makes him a solid each-way option here, but I hope the application of cheekpieces might just persuade him to get his head in front once more.
He has not won since landing a Grade 1 in America in 2017, but was beaten by the smallest possible margin in this contest last year. He was also a close third in 2017 and this quirky track seems to play to his strengths.
He retains plenty of ability as exemplified by a good third in a Group 2 at Ascot recently where Adam Kirby had his first ride on the gelding. He will know more about how to ride him today and he acts on any going. It is perhaps surprising he has not sported headgear more often, but if the cheekpieces have a positive effect he must go close.
Goodwood 4.45: Saaheq
Rain would also be a positive for Saaheq in the sprint.
He has a fine record on turf since joining the Mick Appleby yard, highlighted by a valuable win at Musselburgh in the spring. Indeed he does seem to be showing a preference for speed favoured tracks these days and 5f.
Therefore it is easy to see why a first visit to Goodwood could prove fruitful. He ran well enough at Newmarket last time out, but seemed to be feeling the very fast ground slightly. There is always plenty of dig at Goodwood, so he should let himself down alright today. There is no better apprentice around at the moment than Cieren Fallon and that 5lbs allowance is a massive advantage to anything he rides at the moment.
Galway 7.40: Numerian & Innamorare
Two against the field for Galway’s Tuesday feature.
Numerian has an obvious chance after a fine fifth place in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. He finished strongly over the mile that day and the extra half-furlong and stiffer finish will surely see him to even better effect. That was his first effort on turf, where he handled the bit of cut well. You won’t see Donnacha O’Brien riding this light often (may carry slight overweight) but the fact he is taking the mount suggests hopes are high.
At a bigger price I like Innamorare each-way. The 4yo has her quirks and trainer Gavin Cromwell regularly changes/disposes of the headgear to keep her interested. She has not won yet this season but has two fine second places to her name at the Curragh and Leopardstown. The latter was over 10f and this stiff, strongly run mile ought to suit this filly, hailing from a very much in-form yard.
Recommended bets:
1pt win – Setting Sail – 1.50 Goodwood – 4/1 general
0.5pts each-way- Ventura Knight – 1.50 Goodwood – 16/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Suedois – 3.00 Goodwood – 9/1 general
0.75pts each-way – Saaheq – 4.45 Goodwood – 11/1 Paddy Power (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – Numerian – 7.40 Galway – 9/2 Skybet
0.5pts each-way – Innamorare – 7.40 Galway – 14/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
Next column – Wednesday 31st July – Galway & Goodwood continues
