Glorious Goodwood Betting / Geoffrey Riddle / 30 July 2009 / Leave a comment

Geoffrey Riddle is in the Glorious Goodwood hotseat to bring you all the pre-race news and post-race reaction on day three. Follow him live as the afternoon unfolds and email your comments and questions to: theriddleratbetfair@gmail.com.

5.45pm result
1: Blue Jack
2: Feelin Foxy
3: Invincible Lad
4: Indian Trail
Well that's not quite how I envisaged it. All the right horses set the pace, but quite unexpectedly they stayed at the head of affairs and pretty much had the field strung out. Blue Jack finished with a decent finishing kick though and nicked the race for the stands' side group.

As far as the draw is concerned, it seemed pretty fair to be honest, especially when you consider that Feelin Foxy pretty much led for the entire race, bar the final strides, on the far side. I would have no problem backing a horse drawn either side in the Stewards' Cup on Saturday, in short.

Well it's been an astonishingly successful day's punting. We had Roman Republic in the first, Schiaparelli in the Goodwood Cup and the first two in the XL Insurance Stakes.
I hope there was a bit in it for you guys. I'm off to go and swim in the Channel once again. I think it does one the world of good...

5.10pm result:
1: Water Biscuit
2: Ghazwah
3: Whipperway
What on earth was Ryan Moore trying to do on Candleshoe? He was the only jockey to veer towards the stands' side rail, and he raced alone. He finished around 15 lengths shy of the winner. Appalling.

Anyway, hopefully what that race does show is that the far side is where the preferable ground lies. And that is great news, because in the lucky last up next, all the pace is placed mid to high across the track.

Although he got the Audi Stakes wrong, the great Segull wrote in his Pricewise column today about five fulong sprints at Goodwood: "The track tends to suit horses from off the pace. That is usually because sprinters go off too fast down the hill and then get caught out by the slight rise near the finish."

Wise words form the great tipster, and it certainly applies here. This is a cavalry charge and if you pick your way through the form, you'll see horses like Equuleus Pictor (drawn 25), Feelin Foxy (24), and Northern Bolt (22) all like to blaze a trail and race from the front. That should give horses like Methaaly and Our Piccadilly a great tow and providing they get the breaks, those two look tremendous value. Our Piccadilly is trading at [16.0], which I reckon is a massive price and deserves a proper bet, but you've got to have think about Methaaly at a massive [120.0], especially with the rain coming to its aid.

Remember also that David Nicholls, the sprint king, put his first three horses out of the hat in this afternoon's Stewards' Cup draw in the high number berths. I think that is pretty good evidence that the high numbers are favoured.

4.46pm
I'll be prosessional here. Dave Oatley, who tipped Roman Republic earlier, was very keen to be against Brian Meehan's horse in the next, Water Biscuit. "It's not that it won't win, I just think there are plenty of potential dangers lurking around in this maiden," he said.

"Pink Symphony is well entered, so is Leitzu of Mick Channon's. I was at York last time when Laureldean Spirit finished second to Emirates Dream. The pair pulled well clear and the third, fifth and sixth have all gone on to win."

Dave was expecting around [3.5], but it's been drifting and Water Biscuit is now around [4.6]. There's been quite a lot of support for Laureldean Spirit and a word must be said about Rosa Gurney. Jim Bests's horse was backed form 66-1 into 16-1 on her debut and although she finished ninth, that is one hell of a gamble.

4.35pm result:
1: Suruor
2: Shamwari Lodge
3: Akhenaten
It is amazing what a dip in the old English channel can do, eh? For the first two days only Finjaan prevented me from total betting poverty, but that quick swim last night sorted me out. A clear head is what is needed here and we've absolutely hacked up this afternoon. The forecast paid out a monster £30.15, to boot.
As Esther Phillips might say: (go on, sing along with her...) "What a difference a day makes..."

4.25pm
I can't split Suruor and Shamwari Lodge. Both have solid claims, and I think I'm just going to play it light and back them both. Suruor's form behind Secret Society is very strong, and Shamwari Lodge was unlucky from a poor draw at Newmarket. You've got to be slightly concerned by the going now with Shamwari Lodge, but I've just got to take on this favourite, Brae Hill.

4pm result:
1: Sevenna
2: Cassique Lady
3: Victoria Montoya
Well I have no idea how or why that filly won, apart from perhaps that she is by wonder sire Galileo. She won well though, and easily accounted for Cassique Lady. Victoria Montoya looked to stay on well.

The Betchworth Kid, who finished third in the Goodwood Cup is now trading at 16-1 with the on-course bookies for the Ebor at York. It's not in the Betfair list yet, but Michael Bell said after the race: "That was a decent run and an ideal prep for the Ebor." You can't get more precise than that now can you?

There's been a going change. That almighty downfall which produced 2mms of rain in about 15 minutes has changed the going to Good, Good to Soft in places.

3.50pm
I think we have angered the betting gods. A rain shower of dramatic proportions just washed out the entire course. It lasted from when Schiaparelli entered the winners' enclosure and stopped a full 15 minutes later.

Simon Crisford, who was wearing a nice Mackintosh earlier in the day, seemed to have let Schiaparelli's win go to his head. He had cast off his Mac, and was happily talking to journalists and anyone else in the rain. He was absolutely soaked. You'd have thought Godolphin would have provisioned a few royal blue umbrellas.

Anyway, the Goodwood Cup winner goes to Baden Baden for the Grosser Preis, which Godolphin have won before with Marienbard.

Like Rip Van Winkle, Schiaparelli has had dreadful problems with his feet, and should improve. Crisford didn't rule out the Cup route in the future, however.
He also delivered an upbeat report on Delegator, who has joined the yard. The former Brian Meehan inmate is being primed for the Celebration Mile back her at the end of August.

As for the next race, I would seriously think about not betting if you are yet to place a wager. The rain was extremely heavy, and lord knows what effect it will have on this fillies race.

For what it is worth, Cassique Lady is versatile on any going and I reckon if she stays the 1m6f trip, she wins. Trainer Lucy Wadham went on record this morning to say that she has specifically targeted this contest so you'd imagine the four-year-old filly might last home.

3.30pm
Goodwood Cup result
1: Schiaparelli
2: Mourilyan
3: The Betchworth Kid.
Who out there really thought that Mourilyan would beat him? There were a few of you, because there was over £1,000 matched at [1.3] on Gary Moore's brave runner up.
Schiaparelli went off at [2.5] on Betfair, and Barry Dennis layed 7-4 just before the off, but his hand was bitten off almost immediately. And rightly so, too.
OK. I'm being insufferable. But when you're winning, it's difficult not to be. I'll try to avoid the dreaded hubris. I promise.

3.15pm
Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager allowed himself a rare slip. I had arranged to have a chat with him on your behalf after the race about Schiaparelli, y'know, to get the reasons behind the horse's performance, whatever that may be. "I'll meet you back in here when we win," he said. He paused, then he corrected himself. "Ok, I think it would be fair to say that confidence is not the right word, but he is in good form, and he looks in great shape."

He was right. The former German colt shimmered in the afternoon sun. I'm not much of a paddock judge, but I'm pretty sure he didn't have a club foot.

The trainer Saeed Bin Suroor revealed that he doesn't train the horse any differently to get the two miles, but he was keen to stress that Schiaparelli and Veracity, their former smart stayer, were of similar ability.

Steve Mellish, the RUK punting maestro points out that the first three home in the Audi Stakes were draw in the lowest three stalls. I didn't even think to look to be honest, but that suggests those chaps at Turftrax have got it right with their earlier synopsis that the stands' side is indeed quicker than the far side.

2.45pm
Audi Stakes result
1: Kingsgate Native
2: Total Gallery
3: Inexile

I still don't know what to make of Kingsgate Native. That was incredible. The field tracked across the to the stands' side. Jockey Ryan Moore positioned Kingsgate Native on to the inside rail. When daylight appeared just after the two furlong pole, the pair got a dream run and they won pretty cosily.

Kingsgate Native didn't manage to successfully cover any of 40 mares when he was at stud, but the training skills of Sir Michael Stoute are for all to see here now.

Total Gallery continued his upward curve with a remarkable run in second. Although Borderlescott did all the hard work up the centre Inexile just managed to take third close home.

2.25pm
I think Borderlescott is pretty bomb-proof here. I mean the 'Greek Freak' Ialysos is going to have to be pretty useful is he can concede 5lbs to a Group 1 winner.

My cabbie this morning, John, who works for the taxi firm at Chichester Station - Central Cars if you are really interested - tipped Roman Republic, too. He's gone for Moorhouse Lad. "He's won over this course before. That is so important. So many of you once-a-year folk come up here and think it's like any track. It isn't. I'd fear Borderlescott, but Moorhouse Lad is the value."

What more could you ask for? A decent mini-cab service, and perhaps a few winners.
I'm not really sure what to make of Kingsgate Native. Back from stud, he has had a prep run and should be primed and ready for this. At his best, he'd have a hell of a chance. He hasn't been backed particularly on Betfair, though.

2.10pm result:
1: Roman Republic
2: Sopranist
3: Mirrored
Gosh it's great to get the day off to a winner isn't it! Jockey Neil Callan was more prominent than I would have liked, but what do I know. He fought off all those who dared challenge him, much like the empire that he is named after, really. Mirrored ran a good race as well, but was just pipped by Sopranist, who was having just his fourth run.

2pm:
Mirrored is not the strongest in the lead up to the first race. He's an uneasy favourite. I've done the hold-up horse Tricast. Mirrored, Changing The Guard and Roman Republic.

Talking of republics. The Nazi one has come up in my e-mail box. "Josef Goebbels, the Nazi politician, reportedly had a club foot," writes Rory. "It didn't stop him from rising to the top. Don't discount Schiaparelli's chance just because of that."

Er, thanks Rory. While Goebbels was undoubtedly a smart man, he was also known to behave like a lunatic at times, Rory.

1.30pm
Sarah Tregoning, a reporter from The National in Abu Dhabi, saw Mourilyan, who runs in the Goodwood Cup at 3.25pm, run at Nad Al Sheba. She also interviewed Gary Moore, the horses's trainer, yesterday. The five-year-old ran twice behind Veracity, Godolphin's smart stayer who unfortunately had to be put down during the Royal Meeting at Ascot.

It is smart form, and she tells me that Moore is particularly sweet on their horse's chances. "They really fancy it, and they have freshened the horse up since its last run in Dubai in March."

I can't see it beating Schiaparelli though. I know the Godolphin runner behaved like a lunatic last time out at Newmarket, holding his head high and roving about the track. And he may bounce, too. But they are factors which you cannot put a price on, and his form in the book more than merits his price of [3.0].

By the way, the rumours are that Schiaparelli has a club foot. Not as in, he has just developed one, but that he has always had one. I saw the horse at Newmarket, but didn't really think to check. Have a look on the television when they go around the paddock from 3.10pm.

1pm
Dave Oatley, one of the racing analysts who used to be on the now-defunct Sportsxchange, had a proper study up over breakfast this morning. He's a part owner of Colony, and has won the Jackpot in his time, so he knows his horses.

Oatley reckons that Roman Republic will win the first race. Mark Johnston's colt is tough as that bloke in Touching The Void, and Oatley was very impressed with his latest run at the July meeting at Newmarket. I suggested that Roman Republic is a presser, and in a field of front-runners, that may not be the best thing. "He's been ridden with a lot more restraint in his last few outings," Oatley countered. "That run at Sandown behind Mirrored, he was held up, and he improved last time out over today's trip."

Seven of the last eight winners were placed in that race at Newmarket, which also brings in hold-up performer Changing Of The Guard. "I've had a saver on that, too," Oatley added. Richard Fahey's gelding was fifth to Roman Republic at Newmarket, but he gets a 3lbs pull for a four length beating. That may not be enough, but he should get a good tow form the field and is three times the price of Roman Republic. Both look good value.

Those of you who are confirmed Mirrored fans should not be disheartened at all. The favourite is also a hold-up performer and has been heavily backed, too.

There's also a fierce headwind driving down the track, which should also make things harder for the pacemakers. It's weird actually, because on my left, on the paddock side, it is blue sky and sunny. On my right, looking over the racecourse and the downs, teeming rain is approaching the stands at a rate of knots. The weather, eh? It just wouldn't be a British blog with its mention.

12.15pm
The Stewards' Cup draw is happening as I write. Or, way before you read this, such is the current capability of our website at the moment. Anyway, as far as the Goingstick is concerned, the men at Turftrax reckon that the Stands side is the quickes strip of ground. On the stands side (low numbers) it currently reads 8.28, and on the far side (high numbers) is reads 8.21.

Food for thought for the lucky last this afternoon which boasts a field of 26 runners. That said, sprint king David Nicholls, who is mob handed in Saturday's Stewards Cup, went to the far side with the first three of his runners drawn out of the hat. Striking Spirit was drawn out of the hat second, behind Brave Prospector, and Nicholls immediately installed the horse in berth 27. He put Buachill Dona in gate 24 and Fol Hollow in 21.

11.45pm
Good morning everyone and welcome to day three of Glorious Goodwood. After yesterday's debacle, Gizmo, the little cutsie Gremlin, has apparently not been avoiding water and a few are running around the system making life tough. Remember the sort of havoc they can make?

After a tough few days, my betting bank is at a very low ebb. I went back to my residence down here very much in the doldrums. The place where I am staying is right on the waterfront, so when I got back, I ran straight into the sea. It was completely invigorating, although not as cold as I thought it would be. I was baptised. The two days of punting hell were washed away. The sun is out today. It's Ladies day. I have a very good feeling. The form has opened itself up to me like Neo in the Matrix. Altogether now: "I can see clearly now the rain has gone...."

Tags: Geoffrey Riddle, Glorious Goodwood, Glorious Goodwood Live Blog, Horseracing betting, the Goodwood Cup