Glorious Goodwood SmartPlays: Wednesday July 30

The St Leger trials start here, specifically in the Gordon Stakes (14:30). None of the current favourites for Doncaster are in attendance, though an impressive winner would more than likely enter that group. Snow Sky is our idea of the Gordon Stakes winner, on the basis that he's still deceptively progressive; a continuation of the same would make him a contender for at least minor honours in the St Leger. 

Snow Sky has taken a step forward on every run at three. He was second to Western Hymn on reappearance, then won a renewal of the Lingfield Derby Trial that arguably looks better now than it did at the time (runner-up Hartnell has since won the Queen's Vase and Bahrain Trophy). His latest start was in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot, when he did best of those to race close up. He wouldn't have beaten the likes of Eagle Top even so, though he might have mastered Scotland whom he meets again today. With doubts also over favourite Somewhat (probably flattered when third in the Eclipse), Snow Sky makes sense from a pricing point of view, too.

We're skipping the other Group races today, which are rather imbalanced betting-wise. The same can't be said of the fillies' handicap at 16:50, especially with early favourite Water Hole now out. She'd have been the outstanding candidate and her withdrawal looks to leave a good opportunity for Hiking. Like Snow Sky, Hiking is probably more progressive than the figures imply: after seeming to need her reappearance she did well to win at Salisbury last time. There Hiking came from a less favourable position than the placed horses, taking time to really get going which reflects both that and the likelihood of her being suited by trips beyond a mile. This relatively sharp nine furlongs is a good place to start.

Our third selection continues the theme of hidden improvement. In the case of Englishman (17:25), his remains strictly under wraps, seemingly reserved for the big-field scenario he faces here for the first time since he ran in the Coventry last year. He's been second on his last two starts, neither any fault of his own for all he edged left at Newmarket last time- given he was up against Dark Emerald that day, it might not have had any effect on the result. Now Englishman gets to go off 2 lb higher in a race that should see him to even better effect. Connections may ultimately have an eye on Saturday's Stewards' Cup, which Englishman would more than likely need a penalty to get into. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Goodwood

Back Snow Sky @ 5.49/2 in the 14:30
Back Hiking @ 7.06/1 in the 16:50
Back Englishman @ 10.519/2 in the 17:25