Glorious Goodwood Betting / Graham Cunningham / 31 July 2008 / 2 Comments

The party rolls on at Goodwood and Galway. The good news for British trainers is that Aidan O'Brien doesn't have any runners on day four at Goodwood. The bad news is that finding winners on the Sussex Downs will be very difficult. Racing UK pundit Graham Cunningham tries his best to point you in the right direction.

2.15 Coutts Glorious Stakes (Group 3) 1m4f

Five of this bunch have been declared with provisos about the ground - so don't be surprised if withdrawals rear their head again - but if the weather forecast is correct the ground shouldn't get soft by any means.

Sixties Icon is the strict form choice but ran a stinker at Royal Ascot, while Stotsfold has a good record here but can't be rated a guaranteed stayer. Galactic Star is probably best forgiven a dull effort in France given that he was forced to make his own running. He looks the type to fare much better this time, while Tranquil Tiger is another with the potential to go close at a fair price.

Granted, he was behind Sixties Icon at Newmarket in the spring, but there wasn't a lot in it. He's been very reliable in good company since and, with blinkers on for the first time, his smooth travelling style could make him a suitable back to lay vehicle.

2.50 Stewards' Sprint Stakes (Class 2 Handicap) 6f

A consolation race for those who didn't make the cut for the Stewards' Cup and one in which any number can be fancied. Harrison George is one I'm keen to take on given how long he took to assert over seven at York, while Rocker now has to prove himself over six after quickening nicely at Sandown.

It's interesting to see Express Wish fitted with headgear after being chopped for pace at a crucial stage at York, while Best One, Osiris Way and Baby Strange all warrant respect following fine efforts at this level.

However, with the Olympics looming Valery Borzov has much more than a topical name to recommend him. Granted, he was behind Baby Strange at Hamilton, but Adrian Nicholls has chosen him ahead of a posse of stablemates and a back to lay can pay dividends if he is allowed to blaze the trail this time.

3.30 Totesport Mile Heritage Handicap 8f

High numbers have dominated - with recent winners drawn 20, 16, 16, 20, 22, 21, 19, 18, and 12 - and fans of Gold Sovereign, Dhaular Dhar, and Military Cross would be unwise to go overboard given they are berthed in stalls 2, 3 and 5 respectively.

Masaalek has fared much better in stall 19 and has to be a strong contender given his progressive form in top handicaps, while confirmed holdup merchant Flipando can also have a say if he gets the breaks from box 11.

Fifteen Love is another to consider from stall 15 if the rain stays away, but my eye keeps being drawn to one at a big price here and Extraterrestrial is the beast in question. Granted, Richard Fahey's gelding is wider than ideal in stall 7 and has finished well held on his last two starts, but there have been valid excuses and a return to the form he showed in the spring would give him a very lively win and place chance from a mark of 93.

4.05 Richmond Stakes (Group 2) 6f

An open market looks assured here but, with several unknown quantities and little to choose between some of the more experienced runners, it doesn't look the most appealing betting medium.

Prolific will have plenty of followers among the strict ratings brigade, while Gallagher and Waffle will strike a chord with those who prefer potential improvers.

However, those who like to target value might find some mileage in Saxford and Total Gallery. Saxford is thriving on racing and beat a fair field at Newbury despite some tack problems, while Total Gallery has really clicked of late and should relish this extra furlong after bolting up over five at Beverley.

4.40 RSA Nursery (Class 2) 7f

Improvement is so often the key to solving nursery puzzles and Sohcahtoa looks open to plenty after following his promising Newbury debut with an eyecatching maiden win over this course. Total Gallery and Tuesday's winner Gyr have franked that performance and Sohcahtoa's pedigree and smooth travelling style suggest that he will be every bit as effective over this turning seven. In short, he's one of the most interesting horses on the entire card.

Sir Mark Prescott's handicap runners always command interest but Rapid Release appeals more than stablemate Haven't A Clue after being pipped at Catterick. Kings Troop showed marked improvement on softish ground at Warwick but needs to progress again to defy his big weight, while Suruor did the job well enough over six at Ayr but that may not have been much of a race.

5.15 Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3) 7f

The pace and the potential front runners look easy to predict here. Sadly, assessing the final outcome looks much trickier. Red Dune is plainly on the up, but this is much tougher than the Newmarket handicap she won off a mark of 83 and she will have plenty of company up front from the likes of Clifton Dancer.

Visit is bound to be popular after a fine reappearance effort at Sandown and she meets Illusion and Shabiba on 6lb better terms. A strong pace will suit her well and she's a strong contender, though don't be surprised if Illusion continues her recent progress with another bold effort at decent odds.

Low draws can be problematic over seven at Goodwood and Cheyenne Star and Many Colours will start out wide in stalls 3 and 1 respectively. That said, Cheyenne Star's latest Leopardstown win looks very solid form. The faster they go the better she will run, while Many Colours is surely much better than she showed at Royal Ascot.

5.50 Turf Club Stakes (Class 3 Handicap) 5f

Another complex puzzle and much depends on whether Bosun Breese reacts to a tongue tie for the second time as well as he did on the first at Sandown last week. He bolted up there and is still nicely treated under a penalty if the aid has the desired effect, but it is worth noting that he hasn't always been consistent.

Light Hearted is lightly raced but needs to better the form he showed on his handicap debut at Doncaster and Cape Vale and Wotashirtfull could be more interesting. Cape Vale is still lightly raced and wasn't disgraced in a hotter race than this over six at Newmarket, while Wotashirtfull had been thriving before he got bogged down in the mud at Ripon last time.

Tags: Bosun Breese, Cape Vale, Galactic Star, Light Hearted, Sixties Icon, Sohcahtoa, Stotsfold, Tranquil Tiger, Wotashirtfull