Our first bet on Wednesday runs in the one-and-a-half mile handicap at Goodwood (15:05) as we side with the unexposed Gospel Choir. Ryan Moore had warned in his exclusive Betfair column that Gospel Choir would need the run on his belated return at the York Ebor meeting, and, as things transpired, it was an accurate prediction. Gospel Choir was well positioned in the early stages at York but couldn't sustain the gallop inside the final couple of furlongs, weakening in the manner of a horse that was just short of peak fitness. Gospel Choir boasts some extremely strong handicap form and, with Sir Michael Stoute a master at coaxing improvement out of older horses, he is capable of better yet. He holds leading claims this afternoon.
Our next bet comes in the following race on the Goodwood card (15:40) as we select the Jeremy Noseda-trained Grandeur. Grandeur was perhaps slightly disappointing in the Arlington million last time but he held valid excuses (forced wide entering the straight) and his previous effort when chasing home Mukhadram in a Group 2 at York sets the standard here. Grandeur's main rival on paper would appear to be Brown Panther, but this 10-furlong trip looks too sharp for Tom Dascombe's charge and he has to concede 5 lb to Grandeur. This tips the scales firmly in the favour of Grandeur who can register his first win of the campaign.
Cat O'Mountain has a 100% record on the polytrack (three course wins) and he can maintain his unbeaten run in the 20:00 at Kempton. The Godolphin-owned three-year-old attracted significant support prior to his return to the all-weather at Kempton earlier this month, and he justified market confidence in good style, registering an authoritative one-and-a-quarter length success. A 5 lb rise for that C&D win is certainly fair and he could still have a fair bit more to offer, considering that he has made just the seven career starts. This looks like a competitive race, but Cat O'Mountain should take plenty of beating.
Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Gospel Choir @ 3.412/5 in the 15:05 at Goodwood
Back Grandeur @ 2.789/5 in the 15:40 at Goodwood
Back Cat O'Mountain @ 2.767/4in the 20:00 at Kempton
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