Neil Morrice highlights his best bets at the Qatar Goodwood Festival for Day 3
QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL BEST BETS THURSDAY
Race 1 No6 DECADE OF TIME
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
DECADE OF TIME tackles this handicap in preference to the Group 3 Gordon Stakes and while that would seem a logical step his entry for that St Leger trial tells us the high esteem in which the Study Of Man colt is held at West Ilsley. He relished the step up to a mile and a quarter when f Ishiguro second in a Class2 at the Newmarket July meeting, is versatile ground-wise and on just a fifth career start could have plenty more to give. From a very good slop in the gate Joseph O’Brien’s DIAL ME IN also needs considering as he wasn’t given a hard time when his chance had gone in the King George V Handicap at Ascot. A cut back in trip should assist his claims. GONNA FLY has been looking for this stiffer test and though a shade disappointing last time a line can be drawn through that run. SAVVY DISKO is operating on an upwardly mobile curve and after scoring easily at Lingfield last time has a chance to shake off a 9lb rise in the ratings.
Prediction: 1st DECADE OF TIME, 2nd Gonna Fly, 3rd Savvy DISKO, 4th Dial Me In
Race 2 MARKEL RICHMOND STAKES (Group 2)
No9 NIGHT IN VEGAS
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
NIGHT IN VEGAS carried my vote in the Coventry Stakes in which after an awkward start he was beaten just a length and a half to just miss out on a place. The Night Of Thunder colt greatly impressed with his Ascot and Goodwood triumphs previously and if enjoying the rub of the green can reverse the Royal Ascot placings with CUT A DASH (4th) and ADAAY IN SCARLETT (2nd). The latter has the benefit of experience but his stablemate Mariner flopped on Tuesday which tempers enthusiasm. Against that NIGHT IN VEGAS has been working the house down and is strongly fancied to return to winning ways.
Race 3 MAISSON PERRIER GORDON STAKES (Group 3)
No3 ENCELADUS
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Dylan Browne McGonagle
ENCELADUS appeared to steal a march on his opponents when winning the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot but that form has been franked several times, making him of particular interest in this step into Pattern company. The Sea The Stars colt makes just a fifth visit to the track and should give a very good account in the old Niarchos colours. BAY OF BRILLIANCE finished second in the Lingfield Derby Trial and fourth in the Derby itself before underwhelming in the German Derby. He has the best form of any of the runners, and if bouncing back will pose a serious threat. Meld Stakes winner GERYON has run well against older rivals and will be more at home taking on three-year-olds. He’s ultra consistent, goes on this ground and should be in the shake-up.
Race 4 QATAR NASSAU STAKES (Group 1)
No1 FRIENDLY SOUL
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: William Buick
DIAMOND NECKLACE will start odds on to make it a fourth success at Group 1 level and add this historic prize to her French and Irish Oaks triumphs. She’s the apple of Aidan O’Brien’s eye, is unbeaten, and going forward will target equally prestigious targets overseas. While another win for the daughter of St Mark’s Basilica is likely there could be value in siding with FRIENDLY SOUL, who in her own right is top class and capable of making a race of it with the favourite. The George Strawbridge-owned mare took out the Prix de l’Opera in 2024 and looked unlucky in last month’s Duke Of Cambridge Stakes in which she was hampered before staying on strongly. At her best she would give Diamond Necklace something to think about and the vibes for her out of Clarehaven Stables are strong, SEE THE FIRE looked up against it taking in males at Royal Ascot and so it proved, but she’s classy, and back alongside her own sex could have a say.
Prediction: 1st FRIENDLY SOUL, 2nd Diamond Necklace, 3rd See The Fire
Race 6 No1 SHADOW KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
In taking out a Doncaster nursery in first time blinkers, SHADOW KING did this column a good turn. Returned at 10-1 that day, he stuck gamely to his guns and is fancied to stage a repeat out of a yard that has done well in this race recently. He’s better drawn than WISE AND WONDERFUL who nevertheless looms as a big danger under a jockey who can do no wrong. The last named filly could be very well treated on the evidence of her maiden win, and goes into all permutations as a place banker. CILICIAN rarely misses out on the money and can also get involved, while CASH COVE looks over priced.
Prediction: 1st SHADOW KING, 2nd Wise And Wonderful, 3rd CILICIAN, 4th Cash Cove
Race 7 No14 SO LOVELY (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The professional money will surely travel in the direction of Coolmore-owned SO LOVELY whose mother is the multiple Group 1 winner Love. She looked a shade unfortunate not to make a winning introduction, but has learned plenty from that effort and should make no mistake.
