The first of today's SmartPlays comes in the Gordon Stakes (14:30) where Excess Knowledge gets the nod. He is a strong, imposing type who was always going to be better as a three-year-old after he had grown into his sizeable frame. His juvenile form is still smart after finishing a length second to Just The Judge at Newbury, but better is expected this campaign. He was an impressive third on his seasonal return in a listed race at Sandown, shaping with promise over a trip that is likely to prove a minimum for him, so the extra two furlongs here will undoubtedly play to his strengths. He should have come on for the run and this looks the next logical step towards a possible tilt at the St Leger. Cap o'Rushes looks to be improving after just missing out on the places at Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby and rates as the main danger.
The Vintage Stakes (15:40) should provide Messrs Hannon and Hughes with another opportunity to continue their dominance on the Downs with Toormore. The all-conquering duo took this contest with Olympic Glory last year and they are on record as regarding him as "the real deal". He ran on well on his sole racecourse start so far, doing just enough to win a Leicester maiden from Ertijaal who subsequently bolted up to shed his maiden tag by six lengths. The decision to miss Royal Ascot to allow the horse to mature both physically and mentally means this has long been the target and he will be in prime condition for today's contest, and will take a lot of beating. The horse who looks most likely to serve it up is Parbold, whose second in the Coventry Stakes, albeit a distant one to War Command, merits respect.
The nine-furlong fillies' handicap (16:50) is the last race under consideration, where preference is narrowly given to Great Timing in what is a competitive contest. She pulled clear at Newmarket last time when shouldering a 5-lb rise for her second at Sandown, and the pace was a little slower than ideal. If she gets a better tow in to this contest which seems likely she should make light of another rise for her last outing and prove to be ahead of her mark. She remains capable of further improvement and is in a hood for the first time today. If it brings about the expected results she can give new Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby his first big race win. Ifraaj Pink rates as the main threat if she can overcome the nightmare draw in stall sixteen.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Goodwood
Back Excess Knowledge @ 2.915/8 in the 14:30
Back Toormore @ 2.982/1 in the 15:40
Back Great Timing @ 4.98199/50 in the 16:50
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