Goodwood Saturday
1:50 Coral Glorious Stakes (Group 3) 1m 3f 218y
The Glorious Stakes makes for a decidedly low-key start to Saturday’s action and it would make more sense to shuffle the order to maximise the broadcast space, with tactical Group races pretty unattractive to punters.
Al Aasy was beaten by Phantom Flight in the Steventon Stakes at Newbury when the pair were reappearing for the season, but the former was poorly positioned in a slowly run race, and should gain his revenge, for all there is a possibility that Phantom Flight could get an easy lead here.
Al Aasy is reunited with Jim Crowley here, which is a positive as the quirky gelding takes some knowing.
2:25 Coral Summer Handicap 1m 6f
Align The Stars has been in the notebook as one to thrive at this sort of trip since chasing home Kalpana at Newmarket in the spring.
Since then he’s scored under forcing tactics at Thirsk and Haydock, landing the valuable Bet365 Handicap on his first try at this trip, and looking all about stamina in the process.
He missed the Gordon Stakes to have a crack at this handicap instead and is still considered a St Leger candidate by his stable, which has won this race four times in the past decade. He’s respected, but there may be one to beat him at these weights.
Forza Orta has slipped back to his winning mark, and although that most recent win came over two miles, he’s been shaping as if in need of a cut back in trip to get the best out of him.
He’s caught the eye in the Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate this summer, not best placed either time with stamina-saving tactics used, but he also challenged on the wrong side of the track at Newcastle and gives the impression he’s as good as ever.
Kevin Ryan adds cheekpieces to Forza Orta now and his recent record when trying the headgear is impressive. Since June, seven Ryan horses have worn cheekpieces for the first time, with three of those winning and two finishing second.
Everything now looks in place for Forza Orta to give of his best, and he’s quite a confident shout.
3:00 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) 1m 6f
Free Wind has the best form on offer, but she’s never been the punters’ friend and I’m happy to swerve her at the prices. Caius Chorister is interesting after tilting at windmills in the Gold Cup at Ascot last time.
The return to a mile and three-quarters is in her favour and she will be hard to keep out of the frame if repeating the form she showed when runner-up in both the Sagaro and Henry II Stakes prior to tackling Kyprios and co last time.
At a much bigger price, I think there could be plenty more to come from Sweet Memories at this sort of trip.
She progressed well last year until disappointing in group a company on Champions Day (yard has poor record at the fixture) and took the eye on her return in the Lancashire Oaks, finishing fourth after being caught in a pocket early in the straight and staying on gradually thereafter behind top-class pair Queen Of The Pride and Tiffany.
There is nothing of that class here, with respect to the market leaders, and while Sweet Memories lacks the gears to win a good race at a mile and a half, the manner in which she stayed on last time suggests she will absolutely relish this test, and she could spring a surprise, appearing the stable’s neglected runner on riding arrangements.
3:35 Coral Stewards’ Cup 6f
I’ve put up Albasheer here as an ante-post angle and have backed him accordingly, but I’m concerned that the penalty he picked up at Ascot last weekend might be enough to stop him, and it’s worth noting that he drifted in the betting for this immediately after that win, which didn’t require any improvement on what he had been showing.
As a saver, I’m more than happy to throw up The X O,who has caught the eye in seven furlong handicaps at Epsom and Ascot this summer and needs a drop back to this trip if he’s to win a big one. He signalled a return to form on his first turf start of the season at Ascot in May, and built on that at Epsom on Oaks Day, coming from off the pace to lead over a furlong out, but reeled in again by Rhoscolyn.
In the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Ascot, he raced a bit freely, but moved up to challenge for a place a furlong out before his run flattened out, albeit meeting interference in the dying strides which cost him a couple of places.
He has only had five starts on turf and his best effort on this surface came at six furlongs, as have both his wins, so I can see him building on recent promise, although he will need luck in running from a middle stall. That is a slight concern given his hold-up style, but 50/1 grossly underestimates his chance.
2:05 British Stallion Studs & Tony Morris EBF Fillies’ Nursery 6f
Those with long memories will spot that the colours carried by Magic Mild are those of big-hitting punter Jack Ramsden who enjoyed plenty of success here when wife Lynda held a trainer’s licence. Those a little younger may not associate Jayar Investments with Ramsden, and a companies’ house search reveals nothing on the entity.
When you know, you know, however, and I’m from a generation which sits up and takes note when Ramsden has an interest.
Magic Mild arguably shaped best when third to It Ain’t Two on debut here and put a poor run quickly behind her when making all to land a course and distance maiden last time, where she had subsequent winners Dream Voyage and Miss Fascinator behind her.
She has the speed to dominate again here and is fancied to turn the tables on It Ain’t Two on 4lb better terms. In fact, I’d fancy her to beat that rival conceding weight and the handicapper seems to have let her in lightly on balance.