TRACK NOTES

Wednesday July 31st.

GOODWOOD RESULTS

It is debatable what we can learn from a Class 2 handicap over 2m5f other than what stays and what does not.

We already know all about Lieutenant Miller; playing it safe, punters made him favourite. As usual he ran his race to the line but, with a 4lb pull for their close running at Doncaster over two miles, in-form filly Broxbourne, attempting this marathon journey for the first time, collared him inside the last furlong. Running on a penalty, she was officially 5lbs well in today.

Seaside Sizzler and Beyond Conceit (not an obvious stayer over this far but saw it out well) were next to finish.

GORDON STAKES [Group 3]:

Heartbreak for backers of Excess Knowledge … but that is Goodwood!

Cap O’ Rushes was not winning out of turn. Four lengths fourth to Trading Leather in the Irish Derby, he was entitled to this but luck did play a part. Uncomplicated and a proven stayer, he was out of trouble and the post came in time for him.

Excess Knowledge lined up after an excellent reappearance effort at Sandown behind older rivals Mandour and Afsare. This track was clearly not ideal for this son of Monsun as he was a drunken sailor some way out. Not an instant quickener, he gradually wound up his run finishing best of all despite some interference and, compounding his misfortune, his jockey losing his reins over a furlong out. In the clear, Excess Knowledge was closing the winner down with every agonising stride. In a rematch with the winner, you would fancy him to reverse the places. Plans are to target the St Leger; on this evidence he should stay the trip.

Spillway, in part the architect of Excess Knowledge’s downfall, was third, Testudo and Secret Number (denied a clear run at a crucial stage) came next in a tightly packed finish.

Elkaayed faded quickly. This was his first venture over twelve furlongs, which on this evidence he failed to stay.

QIPCO SUSSEX STAKES [Group 1]:

A race providing one of those rare occasions when racing can propel itself from the back pages. Many thought Toronado unlucky at Ascot; fittingly, he gained his revenge today. As a horserace it delivered all it promised. Hughes was at his patient best swooping fast and late to deprive Dawn Approach. By contrast to their last meeting, victory was emphatic. Toronado has peaked physically; he now looks a much more developed individual than in the spring. There is no reason to suppose Dawn Approach will turn this form round should they meet again.

Eclipse runner-up, Declaration Of War (two lengths behind Al Kazeem at Sandown) was beaten three lengths by Toronado today, so this form is irrefutably strong.

VEUVE CLIQUOT VINTAGE STAKES [Group 2]:

Walking on water, the Hannon team grabbed a famous Group double with the very promising Toormore here. This was a big step up from the Leicester maiden he won in May. However, he travelled easily throughout and responded well to pressure to get up close home. Victory looked unlikely approaching the final furlong when Outstrip made a break for it. Pulled out from the inner, Toormore quickened like a decent two-year-old. By Arakan out of a Danetime mare, a mile will be as far as he wants to go on pedigree.

Outstrip, who created a favourable impression at Newmarket when beating True Story and Showpiece, has improved to go so close here. He is not short of speed but lacks the winner’s killer kick.

Parbold got into a tangle on this track. Bred to be quick, he recovered his equilibrium to finish strongly. Although the Coventry form has taken a few knocks, there should be another day for him at this level on a more conventional course.

Expert, a stablemate of the winner that is stoutly-bred, was not disgraced in fifth.

After a promising debut behind the useful Qawaasem at Newmarket, Valonia gained amends in the Class 2 maiden over six furlongs. A strong daughter of Three Valleys, to a degree she is still a work in progress. The runner-up, Stars Above Me, should be winning soon but the one to take the eye was the third, Coral Mist. She was clueless at the start and last of all with two to race. Even so, she motored in the last furlong to finish full of running. She will know more next time and is a winner in waiting.

Requiring two handlers in the paddock and planting herself on the way to post, the signs before the Class 3 handicap may have been ominous as far as Ribbons was concerned, but she was a different proposition in the race. Beautifully bred, a winner on this course and extending her unbeaten run to four, she may have a temperamental streak but is not short of ability. She won off 86 today but did so in the manner of a filly that is a good deal better than that.

We ended the day with a tight Class 3 handicap over seven furlongs. Richard Hughes sent the punters home happy with the last leg of a treble on Magic City who could be spotted travelling the best from some way out.

July 30th: Goodwood Results

Spirit Of The Law made up ground in the closing stages to finish fourth in the Class 2 handicap won by Viewpoint. He is on a workable mark for a handicap in the north or for something on the all-weather.

July 31st: Goodwood Results

The Group 2 Vintage Stakes looked up to standard. The first two, Toormore and Outstrip, seem decent juveniles.

Out-manoeuvred at a crucial stage, the speedy Parbold finished strongly in third. He is not one to overlook in a similar event.

Expert is also worth a mention. Bred to stay further and up against some speedy types, he was not disgraced in fifth. We may see more of him later in the season.

Green and clueless early, Coral Mist was last two furlongs out in the class 2 maiden won by Valonia but motored in the last furlong to take third. Considerately handled in this, she will know more next time.

Tuesday July 30th:

GOODWOOD RESULTS

A tricky Class 2 handicap kicked-off this meeting on altered ground after sustained overnight and morning rain. They finished in something of a heap with the Exceed And Excel gelding Viewpoint producing the final thrust inside the last furlong. This ground aided him after apparently finding it too firm at Ascot.

He showed his best here, as did runner-up Nabucco who had beaten the winner at Newmarket last month. Course winner, Labarinto, stepped up on his Ascot reappearance in third.

Spirit Of Law took the eye with a decent effort in fourth. He made up a deal of ground without threatening but confirmed his wellbeing and is the sort to return to winning ways in a near-future northern handicap at a lesser track.

Fast Or Free, returning from a well-documented catalogue of incidents after last year’s Britannia at Royal Ascot, was a bit keen but actually hit the front for a few strides over a furlong out. Predictably, he blew up and his jockey allowed him to freewheel home, finishing tenth but not beaten that far. He should be sharper next time.

MOLECOMB STAKES [Group 3]

This was a messy affair from the moment the stalls opened. Returned to the minimum trip, free-running Brown Sugar got the best of a tight scrap.

Anticipated may have been a shade unlucky in second. Off the pace early, he picked up to finish strongly and may have prevailed in another couple of strides. He is running well at present after good efforts in the Windsor Castle and last time in the Robert Papin when two-and-half lengths fifth to Vorda.

In a cluttered finish, Ambiance, another to have run behind Vorda, was third ahead of Sleeper King. Supplicant was a close-up fifth but this was not his day. He looked dull beforehand and always found them going half a stride too fast. The gaps failed to come, although it is dubious whether he would have finished closer in any case.

Queen Mary fifth, Reroute, was never a factor. She may be better than this but the Queen Mary form has already taken a knock with Rizeena’s defeat at Newmarket.

LENNOX STAKES [Group 2]

With the exception of the winner, this did not look the strongest of Group 2’s.

However, Garswood did well, overcoming several negatives to come back to his best and franking Jersey form that is looking appropriately solid. Today’s easier ground suited but this sizeable son of Dutch Art was not entirely at home on this switchback track. On this evidence, today’s seven furlongs was also a minimum. Clear of trouble on the outside, he took a while to gather himself until asserting inside the final furlong.

Expected to run well without being sharp enough to win, Caspar Netscher returned to action going down with all guns blazing in second.

Consistent but exposed Boom And Bust was third ahead of Libranno, another that struggles at this level, and rank outsider Monsieur Chevalier who had a troubled run.

Next was Fencing.

Producer ran poorly. Not for the first time he was too keen early and was consequently unable to mount a challenge when it mattered.

Harris Tweed won the Class 2 handicap over 1m 6f having raced on the sharp end throughout. A six-year-old back to a mark of 105, he kicked from a keen pace to clear away in the last furlong. He may have outstayed several of his rivals.

Camborne worked his way through the field to steal second.

The moody Suraj was another to produce his best at the end.

Silver Lime looked all set to play a big part in proceedings when looming large two out but faded into fourth as if his stamina was running out.

Brazos, by far the best looking in the field, powered away with the Class 2 maiden boosting the York win of The Grey Gatsby in the process. He should be capable of progressing but they were not a great lot in behind.

Lyn Valley and Mystique Ryder were second and third ahead of sparely made Munfallet.

On his fifth attempt, Sacha Park was next without an obvious excuse and does seem to have hit the wall for now. The proximity of Fifty Shades Of Grey (similar distance away at Ascot) suggests neither are progressive.

It is a job to say too much about the mile Class 3 handicap won by Ascription. Clearly someone knew something about the winner as he was well supported. Running for the first time since Newmarket in May – having been gelded – Ascription bolted up making light of a mark of 83. He presently looks well handicapped so connections may wheel him out again before he is reassessed.

Plugging on for places, Jack’s Revenge, Albaqaa and Democretes did best of the rest.

Tidal’s Bay completed a tough day with victory in the Class 3 five furlong handicap. The principals all came from the foot of the handicap with lightly weighted Six Wives, Cruise Tothelimit and slightly impeded Waseem Faris next to finish.