QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 26th JULY - SAT 30th JULY] -- DAY TWO

WEDNESDAY 

Day Two now and while the opening day was one for the favourite backers it meant we came away empty handed from our two race selections. Not to be deterred we crack on with Wednesday where we have three Group races including the feature event the G1 Sussex Stakes. 

We are only looking at the major races each day not the entire card so focused on the main Group Races or major handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week.

So lets look at day two we've got a pair of Group 3's with the Group 1 Sussex Stakes sandwiched between them;

Going -- Good, Good to firm in places.

Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy a 50/50 chance of some showers during the day, high 19C.


2:35 Gordon Stakes 1m 4f (Group 3) 
A field of nine for our first Group race of today, where the Irish field three and the improving QATARI HUNTER [4th 5/1] must be of interest even though his wins have come in Handicaps, while in form anything is possible. 

Aiden O'Brien and Ryan Moore team up with SHOGUN [3rd 13/2] who has run in three Classics this season (2000 Guineas, English and Irish Derby's) so must be fancied now dropped in grade to Group 3. And with both selections available about 8/1 we will take the pair against the field this afternoon.


3:10 Sussex Stakes 1m (Group 1)
Nothing of the class of last years winner Solow to see here today and although Godolphin run three from different trainers they are unlikely to trouble the 3yo's who have the strongest form on offer. 

THE GURKHA [WON 11/8F] tries to pick up a Group 1 having failed at Royal Ascot and in the Sandown Eclipse, his Ascot conqueror lines up again GALILEO GOLD [2nd 9/4] and Frankie can take this on his quest to reach 3000 winners in Britain.


3:45 Molecomb Stakes 5f (Group 3)
A field of 12 here all 2yo's over the flying five furlong course, and the choice of the powerful Aiden O'Brien yard is SPORTSMANSHIP [4th 11/2] who at 9/1 should be a good win/place option. 

NAYYAR and SPRINGBOURNE come here after debut wins and could be useful but probably didn't beat much and will improve for the experience.

Wednesday results to be update later.

Day Three should be ready soon and we'll try and get back on track before the end of the meeting this Saturday. 

Thursday of course is Ladies Day and features the 2m Goodwood Cup. 

QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 26th JULY - SAT 30th JULY] -- DAY ONE

TUESDAY

Though it may not be officially called 'Glorious Goodwood' now, it's still one of the places to go in July/Aug and while I am focused on Galway this week there are plenty of good races here in Sussex. 

Since I am busy covering the meeting over in Ireland at Galway I shall only be looking at the major races here each day not the whole card, we shall look at all the Group Races and Heritage Handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week. 

So lets look at day one;

Going -- Good to firm [Good in places].
Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy and high 18C


2:35 Qatar Vintage Stakes 7f (Group 2) 
This race has a select field of seven, where WAR DECREE [WON 6/4F] renews rivalry with his Royal Ascot conqueror BOYNTON [3rd 2/1] and while that pair make up the bulk of the market (2/1 the pair) it's possible that ISOMAR can give them plenty to do with Jamie Spencer in good form.

Selection -- ISOMAR E/W (12/1)    6th 10/1


3:10 Qatar Lennox Stakes 7f (Group 2)
Only 8 runners and with Godolphin running three who ALL have good chances it's a bit of guess which of these should be supported; DUTCH CONNECTION (9/4JF) HOME OF THE BRAVE (9/4JF) and BIRCHWOOD (5/1).

The main danger to this trio seems to be MARKAZ who came back to a bit of form with victory at Newcastle last time out in a decent Group 3 (albeit on the all weather surface).

Selection -- MARKAZ EW (10/1)    5th 7/1

The two Godolphin market leaders took this one, first and second with Dutch Connection coming out on top at 9/4F. 

That's all for Tuesday, we'll have a pair of Group 3 plus the Group 1 Sussex Stakes to tackle on Wednesday. 

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2016 [JULY 25th -- JULY 31st] -- DAY TWO

DAY TWO

This year's Galway festival is off with a bang, and although we only found the one winner yesterday it's early days. 

So we do have to carry forth a small loss of -2.75pts to level stakes at SP. 

The second day is another evening meeting and will begin at 5:15pm with a 2m Novice Hurdle. The feature race tonight being the Colm Quinn BMW sponsored Handicap over a mile and that gets underway at 7.20pm. 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- Good.

Weather Forecast -- A high of 17C with a chance of a few showers during the course of the evening.


DAY TWO SELECTIONS;

6:15 -- EZIYRA  [WON 2/5F]

6:50 -- SIKANDARABAD  [WON 10/11F]

7:20 -- Feature race for Tuesday, a handicap event of just over a mile and worth é70k to the winner. Dermot Weld has two in this contest KARALARA  [3rd 10/1]  /  ASHRAF  [15th 8/1], so again we aim to cover them both and are forecast about 8/1. 

7:50 -- MALINKA  [14th 4/1]

8:20 -- MONOCLE  [11th 15/2]

Day Two figures -- Kicked off with two short priced favs going in though at least it better than them both getting beat. A 3rd in the big race today was the best of the rest.

D Weld p/l for week +/- [-5.44 after Day 2]
Overall week p/l to date -- +/- [-5.44 after Day 2]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Results to update later tonight, and Day Three featuring the Galway Plate should be ready by then, along with some info from Goodwood this week. Have a great week.