Three selection made the criteria

3 Winning bets

Summary to date

Bets 23

Winning Bets 14

Losing Bets 9

Profit / Loss +£52.00

Richard Hughes

Jockey Richard Hughes said, “I was trying to get him to relax and get him breathing early on, as for nearly a minute I couldn’t feel his belly going.

“He jumped extremely fast and I let him go to the front, but in the last two furlongs he was gawping at everything.

“I think he kills horses off halfway through the race with his speed and then just grinds it out at the finish.”

Hannon commented, “Strong Suit is still our best two-year-old, but this is a very good horse too.

“I don’t really know what we’re going to do with him now. It’s up to the owner really, but he wouldn’t want much further than six furlongs unless we can teach him to race in a different way.”

Racing at Goodwood

From about a furlong out jockey Royston Ffrench swiftly got his mount out in front, as Johnston’s only other starter, Tartan Gunna, was slow off the mark.

Also challenging were Aspectus and Mahadee, with last year’s runner-up Spectait stuck out wide in the turn for the line.

Invisible Man had Frankie Dettori making the best of his good draw, as they came up to the last two furlongs, he moved his mount into a gap on the far rail and put the challenge to Sea Lord.

The two front runners were well clear of the remaining field when it seemed as if Sea Lord was going to be overtaken easily Invisible Man, but Johnston’s runner showed stamina and speed to pull away for a victory by three-quarters of a length.

Getting into the event as first reserve was Webbow who placed third, with fourth place going to Proponent.

Johnston, who won the event the previous year with Laa Rayb, said, “We had a terrible dilemma with him, he’s a little above handicap level and did we go for the handicap where you’re in the hands of the gods but the money is a lot better, or did we go for the Listed race where he should be tomorrow. I’m glad it’s worked out.

“We were very bullish about it but its bard to be too bullish in a handicap because they are very, very tough. Hence his entry tomorrow in the Listed race.

“It’s great to have another winner on the board. We’ll wait and see how he is and speak to the owner. I don’t know whether he’ll run tomorrow.”

Wife Deirdre stated, “He’s very tough, very game and has pulled out more all the way to the line.”

Guided by a smart ride from Jockey Michael Hills, Redwood, owned by Khalid Abdullah, kept on the path of his successful season, winning the Coutts Glorious Stakes.

Goodwood

The three first over the line in the event were behind the rest of the field prior to coming into the home straight, with Sri Putra and Traffic Guard following the victor past the post.

Redwood was a sight to behold as he came swiftly down the outside coming from last place to claim the victory, which also gave trainer Barry Hills win number 50 at Glorious Goodwood.

Frankie Dettori, attempting to make the running aboard Whispering Gallery, set a fast pace right from the start, with the field staying mostly the same up to the top of the hill, with William Buick’s mount Duncan moving forward coming into the straight, though the race favourite never appeared to be travelling strongly.

His challenge faded off very quickly and he was overtaken by competitors that were finishing far more powerfully.

After the two-furlong mark the clash was between Redwood and Sri Putra, but Hill’s mount won the battle, a length and a half in front as they crossed the line, with third placed Traffic Guard back another length and three quarters.

Charlie Hills, son and assistant to trainer Barry Hills, said, “He did it very well. He had a very good turn of foot.”

Regarding Redwood’s possible future events, Hills added, “There is a race in Turkey or the Canadian International.”

Assistant to trainer Michael Jarvis, Roger Varian said of second placed Sri Putra, “It was his first time at a mile and a half, he galloped all the way to the line and I though it was a good effort under a penalty.

“It gives us a few more options – a stiff mile and a quarter or a mile and a half – and he could go to the Grand Prix de Deauville, but not if its soft because he likes fast ground.”

A much better day personally yesterday, with grand old stagers, Illustrious Blue and Borderlescott, lighting up both the meeting and my punting fund.

However, the lustre of those two memorable performances was tarnished somewhat by news that both Borderlescott and Age Of Aquarius, favourite and leading the Gold Cup field when breaking down, may have run their last races.

Luckily, it looks as though neither horse was fatally injured, but the ground would appear to be on the (very) fast side of good at Goodwood. On the subject of retirements or likely retirements, one who has definitely run his last race – and not before time! – is Caracciola, who ran 8th of 9 in the Goodwood Cup.

Credit to the old boy who, at 13, has fifteen career wins including the Cesarewitch, and the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, as a venerable 12-yo last season. Enjoy the grass, my  friend.

********

Now then, a whistlestop tour of the races today. I’ve not had a chance to look properly and will enjoy my train ride with the Racing Post, so please treat the following with the disdain it probably merits! Caveat emptor…

2.10 The opening race is all about Duncan, who should have the class to see these off. Or is it? Well, yes, probably it is. But one that has caught my eye from a cursory glance is Golden Sword. Second in the Irish Derby, and fifth in the King George last season, he had two runs at Meydan for Mike de Kock in the Spring, including a third place in the Group 2 City of Gold Stakes, and 28/1 might be too big.

Jane Chapple-Hyam trains him now, and she’s pretty wily as it goes. Fitness clearly has to be taken on trust, but there are several in this field who will never be capable of the level of form Golden Sword has shown on a number of occasions.

2.45 Ah, the consolation sprint race. 28 of ‘em, over the quick five here. Bonne chance to one and all! Not a serious betting proposition, but through the placepot we must get. This will likely sort the eight horses men from the banker boys!

The jolly, Victoire de Lyphar, is a three year old bidding to do what no 3yo has done in this race in the past decade, and win… Readily struck through. Dandy Nicholls, a four time winner of the race in the last decade (but not since 2004), brings in six here.  Taking out the fav leaves a quintet, of whom the most reliable may be Joseph Henry, who finished second in this in 2007 and third in it in 2008. He ran over the longer trip in the totespot Mile last year and, whilst not getting quicker at eight years of age, he knows his way home on the Sussex Downs.

The last six winners have lugged nine stone or more, but only one has shouldered more than 9-05 (the returning winner, Pearly Wey). Aye Aye Digby is in that band, and his last three course and distance runs have seen a win, a third and a fourth in big fields. He makes the list.

Ryan Moore is a very interesting jockey booking for another who likes it round here, 33/1 shot Kerrys Requiem. She’s on the list too.

And, (much) more in hope than expectation, I’ll throw in Five Star Junior and Bagamayo for the ‘pot.

No idea who’s going to win, but I’ll hope to scrape through the placepot with one of the longer shots and start dreaming about a nice week in the sun!

3.25 After 28 runners in the sprint, we’ve got 20 in the Mile, and sunny dreams may quickly be dashed (especially due to the Pimms exertion that will be kicking in by this time)…

This normally goes to a short priced four or five year old, carrying less than nine stone. Unfortunately, there aren’t any in the field this year! Looking up the weights from bottom to top, Mahadee might be overpriced from a favourable draw.

That said, three years can run well here, with Fifteen Love’s 2008 victory supported by Dunelight’s runner up finish in 2006. That would bring in Ransom Note at the bottom, Oasis Dancer, and Sea Lord for last year’s winning trainer, Michael Johnston. The Ransom Note has a shocker draw so is opposed in favour of the other two.

No idea who wins, but I’ll probably have a small interest on Sea Lord.

4.00 Some welcome respite from the big fields but that doesn’t necessarily make this easy. Six up and coming juveniles go to post, and Libranno has the pick of the form with his Group 2 win in the July Stakes. Improvement is almost guaranteed and he’s the bet of the day, albeit at cramped odds. He’s also the placepot banker.

4.35 I’ve had no luck in this nursery down the years, and I don’t expect today to be much different. In truth, if I get through the placepot (IF I’m still going in it!), I’ll be delighted.

High draw seems important, so I’m looking at Memen, Bathwick Bear and something else.

5.10 This used to seriously favour high drawn horses, but the last two years have taken that back a bit. Still, I’ll use that as the first port of call. Pyrrha has the plum box, and a win at similarly tricky Lingfield in the locker, and is a ready ‘pot pick. Jacqueline Quest is drawn 1, and the even money jolly looks a lay, despite plenty of smart form earlier in the season (including a disqualified ‘win’ in the 1000 Guineas for ‘Sir’ Henry).

Tropical Paradise will make up my last leg hopes.

5.45 I’m not even going to try to offer a token here. You’re on your own, and better off for it!

Right, I’ve got to run. Have a great day, and wish me luck!

Matt

Seven selections made the criteria

3 Winning bets & 4 Losing bets

Summary to date

Bets 20

Winnin Bets 11

Losing bets 9

Profit / Loss +£4.50

Today, Grand Zafeen bids for OADW glory in the 6.05 at Bath. Current price is 2.3 on Betfair.

14:20 Strf Ladies Best 3rd 6.43 +£9.50
15:25 Gdwd Tactic 9th 6.96 +£9.50
16:00 Gdwd Motrice 3rd 13.5 +£9.50
20:30 Muss Elijah Pepper 7th 6.96 +£9.50
20:40 Epsm Flouncing 2nd 6.4 +£9.50

Daily Total: +£47.50

Cumulative Total: -£91

The Dream Lays deficit continues to diminish…

Two selections and unfortunately an all to regular occurrence, another losing day:

Stratford-On-Avon 14:20 – Placed

Musselburgh 18:20 – Unplaced

Loss on the day = - 2.00 points @ £10 per point = – £20.00

Accumulated (Loss) = 17.949 points (- £179.49)

Check out The Full Circle system here.

Happy punting.

John

Illustrious Blue ran well to come home with a popular victory in the Artemis Goodwood Cup, but the event was not without drama, with the break down in front of odds-on favourite Age Of Aquarius.

Trainer William Knight

Favourite subsequent to his well run second place in the Ascot Gold Cup, jockey Johnny Murtagh had was attempting to make all of the running when his mount was pulled up half a mile out.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge was afterwards moved to a vet centre in Arundel for more observation.

With Age Of Aquarius out of the event, Electrolyser, trained by Clive Cox, was clear at the front of field, though Illustrious Blue began advancing well through the pack, eventually winning the race by a length and a quarter.

Illustrious Blue trainer, William Knight said, “It’s the third time he’s won at Glorious Goodwood and a different trip each time, so what a star. Jim gave him a lovely ride.

“I regrettably should have tried him over two miles last year, but we’ve had a fantastic run with him and he keeps on winning for us.

“Jim has put a lot of good work in on the horse – he knows him so well.

“It’s great teamwork from everyone at home because we’re a smallish yard.

“To have a horse like this to come along makes a big difference to everybody.”

Crowley stated, “He settled lovely, and at the top of the hill he was travelling so nicely.

“He’s such a tough little horse and he’s a legend for me round here.

“He could even be a horse for the Melbourne Cup.”

A victory for Eastern Aria has Mark Johnston finally off the mark at Glorious Goodwood when she ran out a impressive winner of the Moet Hennessy Fillies’ Stakes, breaking the course record over a mile and six furlongs.

Mark Johnston

Early on in the straight jockey Richard Hills picked up the pace and the outcome never seemed doubtful.

Polly’s Mark tried to challenge but never really got close, with the winning distance of two and three-quarter lengths, with third place getter Motrice two and a half lengths further back.

Hills said, “They went fast and I just slotted in where she was happy. “When I picked her up at the top of the hill we weren’t sure she’d stay but I rode her like she did stay and I was really pleased the way she picked up.

“She’s got a great attitude and has obviously just come right.”

Johnston said, “I’ve run a lot of my big guns in the handicaps and it’s a nice surprise to get my first winner in a Group race instead.

“She was the most improved horse in my yard last season and I gave her a lot of big entries, but we ended up having to scrap them.

“Richard rides her very well because she can be quite difficult.

“It looks like I’ll have to get the programme book out again now.

“Long term, the Canadian International may be the plan.”

Borderlescott landed a victory with Kieren Fallon on board, as the veteran eight year old got over the line first by a half a length, at the Audi King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Kieren Fallon

The champ of the Robin Bastiman stable had the middle of the course for his usual late run, as Group Therapy and Astrophysical Jet made their moves on the inside rail to finish in the minor placings.

It was bad luck for Liam Jones on Triple Aspect coming up to the post when the saddle slipped and he was dislodged, although gratefully uninjured.

Fallon said, ”He’s been a great servant for the Bastiman family. A few different jockeys have ridden him and I was delighted to get the ride. He made it easy for me and won quite easy in the finish.

”I was stuck in behind in a bit of a pocket. I got a lucky run down the outside and he did it comfortably at the finish.

”You wouldn’t think he’d had a race. He doesn’t use any gas at all, he’s totally switched off.

”I had to push him down to the post. Most sprinters use most of their energy even before the race.

”As soon as he gets into the gate he knows into a race and he lightens up.”

Bastiman added, “He’s just an unbelievable horse. He’s eight now and you wonder when he’s going to lose that dash.

“We know he’s been coming to hand – he comes right this time of year and he’s just getting better and better.

“He’s just getting a bit older and taking a bit longer to wind up, but once he gets wound up he goes.

“He’s better of the bridle. Kieren gave him a couple of smacks and he got into overdrive. Bring on the Nunthorpe now.

“I think he’s better now than ever.”

Sky Bet spokesperson Matt Doyle made the comment, “This is his time of year and the big question will be whether Kieren keeps the ride or Robin Bastiman stays loyal to last year’s winning rider.”

Jeremy Noseda said of second placed Group Therapy, “I’m delighted and he’s run a huge race.

“The draw did not help, but I’ve no complaints and that is a lifetime best from him.

“We could have a pop at the Nunthorpe or we may take in the view that we could take in a lesser race and try to get a stakes race into him.”

Ed McMahon was extremely pleased with Astrophysical Jet’s third placing.

He said, “She was the first three-year-old over the line and she’s run a cracking race.

“We’ve found her trip now and she’s only been beaten three-quarters of a length by a Group One winner.

“We’ve got two options now, the Flying Five at the Curragh or a Group Three race at Longchamp.”