Simon Holt best bets for day one of 2019 Qatar Goodwood Festival
Simon Holt is backing Lord Glitters to see off a trio of well-touted three-year-olds in a fascinating renewal of the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday.
Recommended Bets: Wednesday July 31
1pt win Lord Glitters in 3.35 Goodwood at 8/1
Wednesday's lucrative Qatar Sussex Stakes provides the latest clash of the generations with last season's champion juvenile Too Darn Hot likely to start a short-priced favourite.
John Gosden's colt certainly failed to live up to expectations when no match for Phoenix Of Spain in the Irish 2000 Guineas before finishing third behind Circus Maximus in the St James's Palace Stakes and, if it wasn't for his prowess last season and the fact he represents a dream team, the forecasted odds look short enough.
Dropped to seven furlongs in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville last time, Too Darn Hot produced the turn of foot that was so impressive last year but a defeat of the Jersey Stakes runner-up Space Blues and Fox Champion (seventh in the St James's Palace) does not amount to particularly strong form.
Back to a mile, and now racing against older horses, Too Darn Hot looks one to take on at the odds and, with Phoenix Of Spain flopping badly behind Circus Maximus at Ascot, it is the latter who may prove best of the younger generation.
However, it does not look a vintage group of three-year-olds this season and LORD GLITTERS, a slightly unlucky third in this race last year and winner of the Queen Anne Stakes in June could prove a more solid candidate.
David O'Meara's consistent grey kept on gamely to hold the ill-fated Beat The Bank (a subsequent winner at Ascot) that day and One Master (third), Romanised (fourth) and Laurens (sixth) have all done plenty for the form since.
A smooth-travelling hold-up horse, Lord Glitters will need to get a clearer run than he did 12 months ago on this notoriously tricky course, but he looks a value bet.
Earlier, DURSTON is fancied to take advantage of joint bottom weight in the Unibet Handicap and complete a hat-trick after victories at Doncaster (1m6f) and Chester over this distance of a mile-and-a-half.
David Simcock's chunky colt did us a good turn at the latter venue, coming from last to first (despite not the clearest of runs) and relishing the soft ground conditions indicated by his pedigree (he is a half-brother to the smart Cubanita who was best with cut).
The Doncaster win on a much faster surface proves he can act on any ground but, if the forecasted rain materialises in any decent measure, this could be perfect albeit against better rivals including the tough Sir Ron Priestley, Salisbury winner Desert Icon and Godolphin's Dubai Tradition to name just three.
In the Molecomb Stakes, Liberty Beach is likely to start a worthy favourite after her fourth in the Queen Mary and subsequent impressive win in a listed race at Sandown.
However, this downhill five furlongs could play to the strengths of two outright speedsters in Maven, who carries a penalty for his Group Three Chantilly win (runner-up Jolie only fourth of five at Deauville on Sunday) and the French-trained WHEELS ON FIRE who looked very well named when showing blistering early pace before fading in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Matthieu Palussiere's colt was ridden with more restraint when beaten half a length in a competitive listed event at Vichy next time but I think Danny Tudhope should just let him roll here and give them all something to think about. He looks worth an interest to make all, though the final furlong may well seem like a mile.
Preview posted at 1730BST on 30/07/2019
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