Day 3

And so we move on to day 3 of the Festival. Gary had a well supported 9/1 winner yesterday along with a couple of decent priced places from his ‘danger’ selections. It means he’s now in front for the meeting and he’s decided to push the boat out today with a look at 6 races.

Personally, I had a good day Tuesday but did most of it back yesterday. I’ll give you a blow by blow account of my betting exploits next week which gives me three days to get it back together and, hopefully, make it less of a horror story.

Let’s see what today brings for Gary……

2.10 

Rigidity just got caught at York last time out after looking to have stolen the race at the furlong pole. His previous run saw him finish second to Dandino which looks just about the best form on offer here and if Tom Queally can deliver his challenge just a little later today I reckon he’ll take all the beating. Right Step started the season running 2nd to Wigmore Hall (John Smiths winner) but hasn’t been able to build on that run since. On that formline the 50/1 about him looks too big and with the drop back in trip he could make the frame.

Selection: RIGIDITY  10/1
Danger RIGHT STEP 50/1
 
2.45

Borderlescott is a dual Group 1 winner who rarely runs a bad race and absolutely loves Goodwood. In the last four years at the meeting he’s won the Stewards Cup, been placed in that race twice more and then finished 4th in this race last year. He’s getting on a bit now at 8 but this doesn’t look the strongest Group 2 race ever run and he is actually the top rated runner in the field. The one I like at a decent price is the Dandy Nicholl’s trained Mister Manannan who ran 2nd here in the Molecomb last season and won nicely first time up this year. He couldn’t get his usual prominent position when disappointing in the Kings Stand at Royal Ascot but should find this company a little easier to dominate.

Selection: BORDERLESCOTT  7/1
Danger: MISTER MANNANAN  20/1
 
3.25

In the Goodwood Cup I’m going for Purple Moon to reverse Ascot Gold Cup placings with Age of Aquarius on the grounds that this drop back to 2 miles looks sure to suit him. He’s due a big race win after being beaten narrowly 3 times in Group 1 company including the Melbourne Cup and with today’s conditions looking perfect I expect a big run from him. Electrolyser doesn’t have to find much improvement for his seasonal debut to finish in front of Illustrious Blue but may struggle to beat all of the main players here. At 40/1 though he might nick a place.

Selection: PURPLE MOON  15/2
Danger ELECTROLYSER  40/1
 
4.00

Eastern Aria is a typical Mark Johnston runner who is as tough as they come and difficult to pass when given the lead. She won a handicap at the meeting last year along with a French Listed race and then won a Newmarket handicap a fortnight ago in typically gutsy fashion. This is a bit of a step up in class for her but she’ll appreciate this step up in trip more than a few others in the race and should run well. Starfala tried the 2m6f of the Queen Alexandra last time out but although she ran well enough, unsurprisingly,  her stamina gave out over the last few furlongs. This 1m6f should be more to her liking and I can see her running well at a price.

Selection: EASTERN ARIA  9/1
Danger: STARFALA 25/1
 
5.10

Citrus Star absolutely stormed home from an impossible position last time out at Epsom and with a tidier break today will take all the beating here. Anyone looking for a big priced horse to back here could do worse than Freeforaday who returns to his own age group after finishing last in the ultra competitive Bunbury Cup last time out. Previous to that run he ran 4th in the Jersey Stakes and a reproduction of that form will put him bang in the picture here especially with Kieren Fallon booked.

Selection: CITRUS STAR  7/1
Danger: FREEFORADAY 28/1
 
5.45 

Mythical Blue won on his only previous start at Goodwood from a 2lb higher rating than he races of today. With the jockey enjoying an impressive 4 wins from 6 rides on the horse he looks massively overpriced at 25/1 and should make a bold attempt at leading all the way. Matsonuke seemed to appreciate the new surroundings of his latest stable when recapturing some of his old form at Ascot last time out. He was rated 112 at his best on the AW and while his turf form is knowhere near that level he is able to race off the same mark as last time. With both of those 2 selections running at either end of the stalls (1 and 17) we should have the draw covered!

Selection: MYTHICAL BLUE 25/1
Danger: MATSUNOSUKE 10/1

Good luck,
Gavin.

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