Hi all,
More top class racing at Goodwood and Galway this afternoon. Inside today’s main piece I’m looking ahead to today’s big Group 1 contest at Goodwood which looks the race of the meeting.
The Group 1 Nassau Stakes (3:35) is the highlight of eight races at Goodwood. Add in an undercard that includes the Group 2 Richmond Stakes (2:25) and Group 3 Gordon Stakes (3:00) and we have you have the makings of a good card.
The Galway action takes place during the afternoon rather than the evening. It’s a mixed card of flat and jumps action once more. There’s a Listed action on the flat with the Corrib Fillies Stakes (3:55). However, the feature race is the Guinness Galway Hurdle (5:05) which has €159,300 on offer to the winner.
“Iron Horse” Strikes Again
Paddington gained a fourth successive Group 1 success in wining the Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes. He was entitled to win they way he did but there was plenty to like about how he saw off his challengers one by one.
French challenger Facteur Cheval came with run 1f outbut was no match for the winner in the closing stages but at least landed the forecast for me.
Paddington has developed into some racehorse. You can see why there have been comparisons with a previous “Iron Horse” Giants Causeway. It's hard to believe he was only 5th of 8 in an Ascot maiden last September.
Provided he’s come out of the race well I’m expecting to see Paddington at York for the Juddmonte International.
The going changed to soft after the first and was later changed again to heavy with plenty of runners just not handling underfoot conditions.
Any runners who could grab the stands rail were difficult to beat and if you were down the middle you had no chance. It will be interesting to see if that continues to be the case on Thursday.
Backers of the winners won’t be complaining but you want to see ground that suits 90% of runners. Otherwise, the whole spectacle is ruined.
The prospects for Thursday weather are better but what state the track will be in is anyone’s guess.
Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) – 1m
With over £600,000 on offer in guaranteed prize money it’s unfortunate, but not unsurprisingly given the lack of quality fillies around, that race of the day has attracted just six runners. Mind you they do include the big two in the ante post betting in Blue Rose Cen and Nashwa.
Contenders:
Blue Rose Cen has won the French 1,000 Guineas and Prix Diane (French Oaks). In winning the French Oaks she looked arguably the best 3-year-old in training. She’s gets the 3lb weight allowance from her older rivals and that could be decisive. The track is an unknown, but the rain is a big plus. The one to beat.
Nashwa won this race 12 months ago bounced back to form when winning the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last time. The drop back to 1m last time didn’t inconvenience her and in fact she posted a career best in victory. We know C&D holds no terrors for her, but I would be worried that she might not settle back at 1m 2f.
Al Husn beat Nashwa in a Group 2 at Newcastle last time. The 4-year-old is clearly going the right way, but Nashwa wasn’t at her best that day, and I would be surprised if Al Husn can beat that filly again.
Above The Curve won a Group 1 last season and there was just a short head between her Nashwa when she was third and Nashwa runner-up in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp last October. Won a Group 2 at Saint-Cloud in May. Nashwa was fourth in that race on her seasonal return and the runner-up won the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville last Sunday.
Nassau Stakes Verdict:
Blue Rose Cen could be a special filly, but her odds reflect that. Nashwa was back to her very best last time and is a serious rival to the favourite. Above The Curve might get the race run to suit. She made all to win at Saint-Cloud in the spring and could make the pace in a race where there’s no guaranteed pacemaker. Ground will suit and if and it’s a bit of an if, as she big filly, she handles the track I think she’s overpriced at double figures odds.
Goodwood Micro Angle Qualifiers
1:50 – Entrancement & Goldsborough
4:45 – Dream Of Mischief, Man Of Eden, Novus & Skysail.
5:55 – Desperate Hero.
Thursday Selection:
I will be keeping my bets to a minimum until I know what the ground is tomorrow. In hindsight yesterday was a day for watching rather than betting.
I’ve tipped up Chesspiece for St Leger and I’m not going to desert him today in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes. Back to winning ways in the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton 13 days ago. He’s getting better with racing and ease in the ground should suit albeit I’m concerned about heavy. Granted he takes on other possible St Leger candidates in particular favourite Espionage. I will be honest with you. I haven't backed him yet and will be wating until I see what the ground is.
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John