Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips from day four of the Glorious Goodwood Festival as well as the best of the rest from Newmarket on 4 August 2023.
QATAR GLORIOUS GOODWOOD FESTIVAL BEST BETS DAY 4
Race 1 No1 CALLING THE WIND
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Neil Callan
CALLING THE WIND brings a touch of class to this opening marathon following his deserved success in the Northumberland Plate. Winner of this race in 2021, he competes from a mark 9nly 4lb higher than at Newcastle and will be ably assisted from the saddle. TRITONIC has few miles on his clock this season and will also revel in the testing conditions while at a longer price the Gordon Elliott-trained dual-purpose horse TRONADOR can’t be discounted.
Race 2 BONHAMS THOROUGHBRED STAKES (Group 3)
No7 NOSTRUM (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The decision to target this Group 3 in favour of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes is surely a sensible one for connections of NOSTRUM. The Kingman colt met with his only defeat when third in last season’s Dewhurst and greatly impressed with his unchallenged triumph from the front in a Listed race at the Newmarket July meeting. With Desert Crown experiencing annoying training issues this is the big white hope from Stoute’s Freemason Lodge operation, and he’s napped to land the spoils on the way to better things.
Race 3 No6 JOHAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: James Doyle
Tactics play a major part in this hugely competitive handicap in which a draw below 10 is almost a prerequisite to success. In going for JOHAN I’m looking for the seasonal debutant to buck the trend. Last year’s Lincoln winner showed at Doncaster that he operates best when fresh, and has been intentionally held back to target this contest on his 2023 reappearance. He’s very fit and has an eye-taking jockey in his irons.
Connections of LATTAM could not have dreamed of a better draw three off the rail and he has delivered in two of his three starts this year.
SONNY LISTON didn’t cut the mustard when moved up to a mile and a quarter after chasing home his stablemate Jimi Hendrix in the Hunt Cup, but remains well handicapped and could bounce back.
David O’Meara must always be feared in the contest and respect is paid to his DARKNESS, who skipped the race RHOSCOLYN won here on Wednesday.
Prediction: 1st JOHAN, 2nd Sonny Liston, 3rd Lattam, 4th Darkness, 5th Rhoscolyn
Race 4 KING GEORGE QATAR STAKES (Group 2)
No6 HIGHFIELD PRINCESS
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Jason Hart
HIGHFIELD PRINCESS looks to hold the cards following three excellent efforts in defeat in Group 1s. The mare has acquired a cult following through her successes in races like the Prix Maurice De Gheest and the Nunthorpe and now in slightly calmer waters is ready to better her third placing in the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot. She’s the best horse in this race without question, and can put paid to the aspirations is fast improving EQUALITY.
Race 5 L’ORMARINS KING’S PLATE GLORIOUS STAKES (Group 3)
No1 HAMISH
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
HAMISH leap-frogged the King George in a move that can pay dividends for his connections with a victory in this Group 3. The seven-year-old loves to get his toe into the ground and is a five times scorer at this level. He is buoyant following his triumph in York’s Silver Cup, and can complete a fine hat-trick.
Race 7 No4 NADER KING
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Stoute fields a number of good chances at the meeting and NADER KING is amongst that number. A lightly-raced individual, he has earned in each of his races this year and has a good draw from which Moore can get him into a handy attacking position. He receives a narrow vote ahead of RATHGAR, who is better than he’s shown and worth saving on.
NEWMARKET
Race 4 No1 DOOM (Nap)
TRAINER: William Haggas – Jockey: Adam Farragher
Close relative of Breeders’ Cup winning mare returns with a gilt-edged opportunity to open her account. DOOM’s narrow defeat by subsequent Oaks winner Soul Sister sets her apart from the rest.
Race 5 No3 POWER OF DARKNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Mikkel Mortensen
POWER OF DARKNESS is a speculative each-way advice, his chance resting on whether he can raise his game in this open handicap. He is certainly fairly handicapped, and dangerous if he can rediscover some of his old form.
