Our star columnist guides us through his team for the opening two days of the Qatar Goodwood Festival with the unbeaten Aljady in action on Wednesday.
On Wednesday Northwest Frontier runs in the Matchbook Betting Podcast Goodwood Handicap. He looks like he’ll stay all day and all night and it’s definitely worth having a punt at this race with him.
You can’t knock his form – even when he was beaten at Ayr the winner went on to win the John Smith’s Cup next time. He’s progressive and has a big chance if he stays.
Our luck with the draw ran out in the Goodwood Racehorse Owners Group Handicap.
Aljady is out in 11 but is a horse who has done nothing wrong. He’s unbeaten in three races and is progressing all the time. It’s a question of whether he’s streetwise enough for this. If he is he has the ability to win.
Scofflaw is even wider in 12. Adam McNamara got a good tune out of him last year and we’ve turned to him again but they’ll need luck from out there.
Society Red returns to his best trip of ten furlongs for the opening Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap at Goodwood on Tuesday. He didn’t stay a mile-and-a-half at Haydock last time and if he came back to the form of his York win here he’d have an each-way chance.
Cosmic Law is drawn one for the Qatar Vintage Stakes which is great. I’m hoping he’s going to run well here. The step up to seven furlongs should suit him and while he has to put his Royal Ascot disappointment behind him, he seems in great form at home.
He won well at Epsom and it is nice that he’s gone well downhill before heading to Goodwood but I always feel the draw is vital here and we’ve fared well on that front.
Get The Rhythm is a nice colt who we like a lot. Whether he’s man enough to show his best form at the first time of asking in the Nginious! Swiss Gin EBF Maiden Stakes remains to be seen but he’s quite smart and goes well.
Paddy Power is what he is and he’ll decide how he runs in the Chelsea Barracks Handicap. He’s more than capable on his day.
Lady In Question is another with a good draw in the closing Matchbook Time To Move Over Fillies' Handicap. I can’t believe I’m writing that as Goodwood has been a real bogey track for us on that front in recent years. She needs to improve but is very consistent and the draw definitely helps.
