Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from day 3 of the Glorious Goodwood Festival as well as the best of the rest from Epsom Downs.
QATAR ‘GLORIOUS’ GOODWOOD FESTIVAL, DAY 3
Race 1 No5 PERFUSE
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
PERFUSE was too free for his own good at Royal Ascot, yet ran a great race to claim a minor cheque in the King George V Handicap. The chestnut was still hard on the bridle two furlongs out, and though grabbed inside the distance battled on. If ridden with more restraint he can get us off to a good start on what for me is the best betting day of the week.
Race 3 JOHN PEARCE RACING GORDON STAKES (Group 3)
No6 ESPIONAGE
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
ESPIONAGE looks a solid entity for Coolmore in this recognised trial for the St Leger. The son of Galileo showed that he handles easy conditions when second in a French Group 1 on his final 2022 outing, and signalled he’s trained on with a cosy comeback triumph in a Listed race at Roscommon. Having only a fifth career start today, he can stave off the attentions of ARTISTIC STAR and CHESSPIECE.
Race 4 QATAR NASSAU STAKES (Group 1)
No5 CAERNARFON (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
CAERNARFON ran her heart out when finishing third to Savethelastdance in the Oaks where she was momentarily in front at the quarter pole. The Cityscape filly then looked to be given plenty to do when only sixth in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, which is why she is carded to start as a roughie in this cracking feature. French Oaks winner BLUE ROSE CEN is rightfully a cramped favourite, edging last year’s Diane heroine NASHWA, while AL HUSN has been on a magnetic upward curve and can’t be ruled out. However, Caernarfon saw her Epsom form boosted by Savethelastdance in the Irish Oaks, and at a big double-figure price is capable of a first-3 finish.
Race 5 No12 GRAY’S INN (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Thore Hammer Hansen
GRAY’S INN finished a creditable fourth in a Listed race at Sandown last week yet can compete in this nursery from her old mark. The fact that she’s a blot on the handicap has resulted in a shorter price than you would normally see in a race of this nature, but granted her liking for cut in the ground under a jockey that knows her she should make no mistake.
Race 6 No2 METAL MERCHANT (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Ryan Moore
METAL MERCHANT ran a cracker in the Haydock Bowl, and though out of the money in the Britannia at Royal Ascot ran better than his finishing position indicates. He was then most unfortunate not to score at Ascot where after being given plenty to do he stayed on strongly but ran out of racing real estate. Moore looks a significant booking for the son of Make Believe, who flew in his winding-up gallop for this and is a bet I’ve been looking forward to.
Race 8 No11 DESPERATE HERO (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
Mud lover DESPERATE HERO was pipped in a hot Racing League sprint at Yarmouth last week after attracting market support. He came out of the race bucking and squealing, and with conditions again in his favour is poised for another earning assignment.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race 3 No1 SWEET FANTASY (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
SWEET FANTASY did us a favour when scoring an all the way success at Leicester last week. The penalised top weight is on good terms with herself and looked worth at least the 5lb extra she has to carry for the win.
Race 4 No1 REDREDROBIN
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: William Carson
REDREDROBIN is a well balanced mare who has the game plan to make this a fifth success from eight appearances this season. She enjoyed stepping up to this evening’s seven furlongs and ran as straight as a gun barrel all the way to the line, while she’s had a subsequent three week freshening break.
Jackpot Perm (Races 3-6)
1, 6 x 1, 3 x 5, 7, 5, 1 x 2, 6, 4
R48
