Evening all,

Music Society went agonisingly close to winning at Thirsk yesterday. He came with what looked like a winning run inside the final furlong but just couldn’t get past Runninwild.

On to Saturday action. The ITV cameras are covering the best of the action from Goodwood, Beverley, and Newmarket as part of an eight-race programme. It’s the first of two-days of action on terrestrial tv.

Inside today’s main piece I preview the best of the action from Beverley and Goodwood. Plus, there’s a quick look at the Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh.

It seems ages since we last saw soft in the going description on a Saturday but on Friday afternoon both Goodwood and Newmarket were being described as soft.

Beverley preview:

1:30 – Majestic has improved with each of his four starts since switching to the turf. Got of the mark with an impressive success at Pontefract 13-days ago. Looks on a workable mark for his handicap debut.

2:05 – As I suspected earlier in the week the field has cut up badly and just six have been declared. Kitsune Power was high on my shortlist for the race but the 12/1 available earlier in the week has long gone. I think the 3-year-old is the one to beat but I’m also interested in Forgiveable. A winner at Redcar two starts back. The 3-year-old ran just as well in defeat when a 2 ¾ length 3^rd of 12 at Haydock 20-days ago. There are race in him off his present mark albeit this is a step up in class.

2:40 – Thirteen stand their ground for the Beverley Bullet. Six of them pass the three trends that I mentioned in Wednesday’s preview of the race. They are Tis Marvellous, Korker, Existent, Arecibo, Ainsdale, and King Of Stars.

Tis Marvellous has solid claims and has a fair draw in stall 7. Korker is than capable of winning a race like this if he can break on level terms with the rest of the field. Existent would have to be respected if reproducing his neck 2^nd of 12 to Khaadem in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in April. He’s been an in an out performer on four subsequent starts but should get a good tow into the race from stall 2 and capable of winning on a going day. Ainsdale probably needs softer ground and once he gets it can win again. However, he has the ideal draw in stall 1 and there has been money around for the 5-year-old.

Goodwood preview:

1:50 – William Hill Prestige Fillies' Stakes (Group 3) – 7f

Most of the juvenile fillies are racing on rain softened ground for the first time. They include likely favourite Fairy Cross. The daughter of Dubawi looked a useful juvenile when a ¾ length second of 10 in a Listed race at Sandown last month. Although this will be the softest ground she’s raced on her dam did win on yielding and heavy ground when trained in Ireland.

Bet Me won on soft ground here on her racecourse debut. However, she was 6 lengths behind Fairy Cross on much quicker ground at Sandown last time. Has each way claims on ground that will suit.

Another with each-way claims is the John Quinn trained filly Breege. She was a good 3 ½ length third of 9 to Lezoo in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot last time. Strong at the finish that day which suggests she will be suited by the step up to 7f. This is the softest ground she’s run on so far. But her dam did win on heavy so there’s a chance she will be effective on it.

2:25 – William Hill Handicap (Class 2) – 7f

Lyndon B won a C&D handicap at Qatar Goodwood Festival last time. He’s up 7lb and on softer ground but should give his running from stall 6.

Rhoscolyn finished runner-up here in the 2020 Golden Mile. He’s just as effective at 7f as he showed when a length 3^rd of 29 in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot. Today’s easier ground will suit and he’s a big contender.

Ascot Adventure has won on soft ground in the past. He was a respectable 1½ length 5th of 14 at Doncaster last time after a 2-month layoff. A winner at Haydock in May, from 3lb lower, and has a handy low draw to work with here.

Oo De Lally’s best RPR came winning a C&D handicap at last year’s Qatar Goodwood festival. On a competitive mark returned to C&D and on ground that suits. He was 3 lengths behind Tacarib Bay at Haydock last time.  The latter is 2-3 on soft ground and ran well back on quicker ground when a 2½ length 2nd of 10 to Tempus in similar race at Ascot (1m) last time. He’s 4lb worse off with Oo De Lally today but if he handles the track shouldn’t be far away. Albeit he’s drawn out widest in 11.

Sir Dancealot won the Group 2 Lennox Stakes over C&D in 2018 & 2019 for his previous yard. Not at that level these days as he showed when only 9^th of 11 in that race this year. The 8-year-old has showed he retains plenty of his old ability back in handicap company when a ½ length 2^nd of 8 at Pontefract over 6f two starts back. Not sure he wants soft ground (0-7 on soft/heavy) but has won on good to soft earlier in his career.

Favourite worth taking on in Celebration Mile

The final two races on ITV see’s Hoo Ya Mal faces just three rivals in the Group 3 March Stakes (3:00). The 1/4 favourite should win this and remain on target for next month St Leger.

All five entries have stood their ground in the Goodwood feature the Group 2 William Hill Celebration Mile Stakes (3:35).

Race favourite Mutasaabeq is the form pick. However, all his four career wins have come over 7f and he’s 0-5 beyond that distance. He’s probably going to be worth taking on in what could be a tactically run race. Jadoomi made all to win a Listed race in France last month and seems likely to get an uncontested lead here. He’s got a bit to find on ratings with favourite but looks like his main rival. Previous course winner Stormy Antarctic goes well here, and the softening of the ground has come at the right time for the 9-year-old.

Irish Cambridgeshire

A maximum field of 27 are declared to go to post for the Paddy Power sponsored Irish Cambridgeshire (4:15).  It’s sadly not ITV but it’s the best betting race of the day. Looking at the trends I used in Thursday’s preview there are no less than nine qualifiers. Of those the six on my shortlist are. Good Heavens, Janoobi, Cowboy Justice, Celtic Crown, Casanova, and That’s Just Dandy.

Shortlisted contenders:

Good Heavens beat three rivals when successful at Cork last time. He’s very interesting on his handicap debut.

Cowboy Justice won a maiden here last August (7f). He got off the mark for the season when winning at Killarney two starts back and improved for the return to handicap company when a 2-length 3rd of 18 to Magic Chegaga in a Premier Handicap) at Galway last time. Nudged up 1lb but shouldn’t be far away. Casanova finished one place and 1 ½ lengths in front of Cowboy Justice at Galway. Earlier in the season he showed he’s suited to a stiff mile when 4^th of 26 here in the Irish Lincolnshire.

That’s Just Dandy is a stablemate of Cowboy Justice and along with Jungle Cove give trainer Jessica Harrington a strong hand in the race. The 4-year-old returned from a 3-month absence to finish a 2-length runner-up to Cowboy Justice at Killarney. Before running just as well when returned to handicap company when a 2-length 3^rd of 13 at Doncaster 23-days ago.  He looks on a mark he can win off.

Celtic Crown won over C&D when last seen in action May. The mare is just 4lb higher and has likely been targeted at this race since her win. Interesting that connections apply the first time visor today. Provided the ground isn’t too quick she’s the one I’m most interested in. Although I will probably have two or three darts at the race.

Saturday Selection:

Beverley

1:30 – Majestic – 4/1 – Gen.

Cheers

John