In the case of Goodwood this is the last day of a memorable meet.
Yesterday provided some upsets in the features but the ground – although described as good to soft was more soft especially after another shower in the morning.
In the Bonhams Seagulls Eleven, the Michael Owens owned horse with Hugo Palmer and Oisin Murphy, made the most of the conditions and word is that he may come to Aus and have a go at the Golden Eagle. Our pick Diego Ventura did well but not as well as the winner.
The King George Qatar Stakes went to JM Jungle 14/1 for the Quinns and Jason Hart with She's Quality second on 9/1 and third Time for Sandals. Asafoora was disappointing but the first time she would have run in conditions like these.
Saturday's closing day has the Glorious Stakes G3 over 2400m with 6 starters and we are going for Godolphin's Arabian Court Appleby-Buick on 7/2 ahead of favourite Al Aasy as we weren't overwhelmed by his Ascot run and if you are doing multiples think about Candleford 9/2 for Haggas-Marquand.
The Lillie Langtry is G2 for the f&m over 2800m and here we are going for Joseph O'Brien's Goodie Two Shoes with Will Buick riding. She's going for a fourth consecutive win and coming from Ireland has familiarity with wet tracks and 4/1 is the current quote. Term of Endearment 3/1 is the favourite for Haggas-Marquand and Danielle is useful and on 6/1 for the Gosdens- James Doyle.
While the Stewards' Cup is a Heritage Handicap as distinct to a Group race it's closing day and may be a good get-out if a get-out is required. Hammer the Hammer 5/1 is a 3yo who is doing brilliantly but how will he go on the surface? We are leaning towards experience here and will go for Purosangue 6/1 who was second in this last year. Get It is on 10/1 but has drawn somewhere in the next county (27 out of 28) so ahead of him we'll put Completely Random 12/1 coming out of gate 1.
Good news coming from Saratoga that Jessica Harrington-Shane Foley have won the G2 – more later.
Galway and second-itis.
Our picks seem to be doing brilliantly at running second – fortunately at reasonable odds.
On Friday Antrim Coast was second in the Blazers Handicap Chase and San Salvador 10/1 was fourth (which pays in the UK and Ireland). The winner was Turnpike Trip 20/1 and the third spot went to Must Be Obeyed 28/1.
The Guiness Handicap over 2400m on the flat had Nan's View the winner on 12/1 ahead of our picks Acapulco Bay who was third, Cheeky Wink second and Fleetfoot third so we picked up some loose change.
Saturday's feature is the Listed Boylesports Handicap Hurdle with 20 runners. So Scottish, second last year, and Winning Smut are both on 11/2, the former with Emmet Mullins who has Mark Walsh on board and the latter with Gordon Elliott with Jack Kennedy the jockey.
It's a very open race so the pin has landed on Maughreen 13/2 for Mullins-Townend and Timmy Tuesday 12/1 for Elliott who is putting up apprentice and 7lb claimer Finn Brickley.
Sad news from Ireland that Thurles racecourse is closing down immediately. This will impact many trainers of jumps horses in particular.
