Mike Cattermole: Glorious Goodwood preview and tips
Mike Cattermole has been tipping winners galore so far at Glorious Goodwood including 20/1 chance Soto Sizzler - check out his Thursday picks.
William Haggas been in extraordinary form over the past few weeks and Urban Fox is taken to continue the hot streak by landing the Qatar Nassau Stakes on day three at Glorious Goodwood.
Her decisive performance when winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh surprised me at the time but clearly the step up to a mile and a quarter helped her to take a huge stride forward and the form could hardly have worked out any better.
The runner-up, Oaks winner Forever Together, was made to look very one-paced by Urban Fox, beaten over three lengths, but has since gone down by only a neck in the Irish Oaks to Sea Of Class, also of course trained by Haggas.
A further two and a quarter lengths away in third in the Pretty Polly was Athena who then landed the Belmont Oaks comfortably, while the fourth Bye Bye Baby occupied the same position (but was not beaten as far) in the Irish Oaks.
Even the sixth, Turret Rocks, won a Group Three at Leopardstown next time.
Urban Fox comes here in the form of her life and can find the necessary extra to beat Rhododendron who was a huge disappointment at Royal Ascot but had earlier shown her versatility by winning the Lockinge Stakes over a mile.
Rhododendron had also won the Prix de l’Opera over a similar trip to this at Chantilly and will be a formidable rival if at her best.
Billesdon Brook, the 1,000 Guineas winner, shaped as though she would be suited by stepping up in trip after her well held fourth in the Coronation Stakes but the fact remains that her Guineas win remains a standout and she has not run to that level anywhere else.
Wild Illusion was fourth in the Guineas and has been a well-held runner-up in both the Oaks and Ribblesdale Stakes. However, she pulled a little hard in both those races and this intermediate trip might help.
Land Force, third in the Norfolk Stakes, may be the one to beat in an open-looking (and slightly disappointing) Qatar Richmond Stakes, especially after the fourth from the race, Rumble Inthejungle, won the Molecomb so well on Wednesday.
The fifth, Konchek, has also franked the form when runner-up in the July Stakes and reopposes again.
Land Force has since won a Listed event at Tipperary, also over five furlongs, and this sharp six should be ideal. Amazingly, Aidan O’Brien has only won this race once before.
Marie’s Diamond is tough and progressive while Neverland represents a stable that has farmed this race over the years and drops back in trip after not staying 7f in the Superlative Stakes.
God Given already has a level of form (over a mile and a half) good enough to take her close in the Lillie Langtry Stakes but this half-sister to Postponed shapes as though the extra two furlongs here will make her even more effective.
Luca Cumani’s filly lines up on the back of a very close second in the Lancashire Oaks where Precious Ramotswe was held in third. She is ridden handily, acts on any ground, and should be hard to pass under Ryan Moore who is allowed off Flattering.
Mark Johnston has won the opening Matchbook Handicap three times in the past 10 years and his Communique comes in on the back of a career best at Newmarket for which he is up 5lb.
He is a bit inconsistent, though, and I will take a chance with Al Jellaby on the back of two very solid efforts at Ascot and Doncaster, both over a mile, in the hope that the extra distance will suit him.
Mike Cattermole selections:
1.50 AL JELLABY, 2.25 GOD GIVEN, 3.00 LAND FORCE, 3.35 URBAN FOX
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