The final day of glorious Goodwood begins with the consolation Stewards’ Cup and Rewaayat – surprisingly for a son of Pivotal – is unbeaten on good to firm ground although he has been raised 12lbs for that facile success. He looks sure to go close but he does have a tendency to carry his head high and preference is for Call Me Ginger (1.50) who might have bumped into one when runner up in the Scottish Stewards’ Cup at Musselburgh last time. The selection was slowly away on that occasion and cannot afford such a luxury in this field, but, if he gets out on terms, I would be disappointed if he did not run a big race for Scottish handler Jim Goldie. The ew selection has been backed from 8/1 into 11/2 with William Hill who are betting five places on the race.
Manuela De Vega has made most to win her two starts so far this term over 12f, but both victories have come with plenty of cut in the ground and I must give Enbihaar (3.00) another chance in the 14f Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes to show her Newmarket reappearance was not her true running. She actually beat Ralph Beckett’s filly by 5L on fast ground in the corresponding race 12 months ago and is 17lbs better off this afternoon! The 11/10 with William Hill has gone and she is now a shade of odds on at 10/11.
Snow finished fifth in the Irish Oaks earlier in the season and she looks the sort who will appreciate stepping up in trip but she faces a tough task if the John Gosden trained mare is back to her very best.
The William Haggas-trained Naharr has been all the rage in the antepost market for the Stewards’ Cup and he must run a big race but I am a big fan of Mark Johnston’s Meraas (3.35) who I have considered potentially a Group horses since running away with a Kempton Maiden back in June when he brushed aside Cold Front – non runner on account of the ground later in the day – representing the Haggas stable. Meraas is drawn in stall 4 which is a slight concern but three of the last five winners of this sprint handicap have been won by the classic generation and a 6lbs rise for the selection’s Musselburgh success looks fair. The ew recommendation is 8/1 with Boylesports who are betting six places on the race.
Golden Horn’s progeny appear to relish fast ground and Golden Flame (4.40) can confirm the promise of his debut when he went down by half a length to Devious Company who finished second in the Gp 2 Vintage Stakes here earlier in the week. Trainer Mark Johnston often targets this race with one of his best juveniles, the colt is well drawn in stall three and Ryan Moore is booked. The opening 4/1 didn’t last long andf the filly is now a best priced 3/1.
At Newmarket I hope to see Katara (3.15) win the listed Chalice Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute. The filly was impressive at Kempton over 1m 3f last time having finished second at Yarmouth on her reappearance. This does not look the strongest of listed contest and Oisin Murphy takes over in the saddle.
I thought Intrepid Italian (7.30) ran a better race than his finishing position suggests when third at Lingfield last time and I hope to see him maintain his progression back on turf at Chepstow this evening. The selection did not appear to get home over 7f here on debut, but he has flourished on the all-weather this term winning two of his three starts on polytrack post lockdown.
On Sunday Molinari (3.20) is taken to go one better than when runner up at Ascot a week ago in what was a much better race than todays. The problem, however, is his poor draw in stall 12 – of 13 – although looking through the field it appears that only Haraz might take him on for the lead. James Doyle takes over in the saddle with David Egan riding at Newcastle.
There is a good card at Newcastle, and I am pleased to see Prejudice (3.25) drop back to 10f for David Simcock having, seemingly, been outstayed at York last time over an additional quarter of a mile. That was still a good effort and he gets into this race at the foot of the weights. Simcock fits cheekpieces for the first time and the son of Dubawi is well housed in stall two.
