Glorious Goodwood Preview 2

We are ahead in the battle against the layers going into the last two days of the Glorious Goodwood and it’s now time to turn the screw on our bookmaker friends.

Friday’s Totesport Mile is traditionally one of the most open races at the meeting and this year’s field doesn’t disappoint. The main factor we must consider is the draw with most of the last few winners being drawn high and the good news is the runners that caught the eye earlier in the week have been drawn well and these are the ones to concentrate on.

Mark Johnston excels at the meeting and has landed the ‘Mile’ on three occasions and saddles the favourite Sea Lord who won nicely at Newmarket last time out over this trip. The improving 3yo looks sure to go well and drawn 16 of 19 he is in the right place. The one I like best is Ralph Beckett's Oasis Dancer who looks to have been laid out for this and is berthed in highest of all in 19.

Before his run in the Irish 2000 Guineas, where he finished 11^th behind Canford Cliffs, he landed a little race over a mile at Newmarket and last time out beat the useful Dafeef in a conditions race over 7f at Newbury. He is sure to give supporters a great run and looks cast iron each-way given any luck in running.

The list of dangers is long with Royal Hunt Cup winner Invisible Man high on the list along with the consistent Webbow and top weight Acrostic who was sixth last year.

Duncan should get punters off to a winning start in the 12f Group 3 race the starts proceedings on Friday but he hardly appeals on value grounds at odds shorter than 2/1.

Tiddlywinks does though represent value at some fancy double figures prices in the 6f handicap (2.45) and this cavalry charge should prove ideal if the 1 draw doesn’t handicap Neil Callan’s mount.

Saturday’s highlight is the Group 1 Nassau Stakes and this mile and a quarter fillies' contest looks one for the French and Stacelita and Rosanara could fight out the finish. Both are fancied to get the better of last year’s winner Midday and the selection has to be Stacelita who is a Group 1 winner at home and will have the assistance of Christophe Soumillon in the saddle. Odds around 4/1 make massive appeal and she is confidentially expected to add to the big race success of the French on these shores this season.  

The biggest betting event of the week is the Stewards' Cup and the draw has been kind to last year’s winner Genki who heads the market and is drawn in 25. Roger Charlton’s sprinter is up 10lbs on last year and no horse has won back to back Steward’s Cups for over forty years but few can have had a better chance and he looks nailed on to be involved at the business end again.

Of the ones that do catch the eye perhaps the most intriguing is Richard Fahey’s Johannes who won a good sprint handicap in the spring and has been put away for this, with a couple of quiet runs since. Drawn in 3 and with the stable still in tremendous form he looks a decent punt at around 20/1.