Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for the Goodwood Notebook
GOODWOOD NOTEBOOK
NOBLE CHAMPION – trainer Ed Walker, Lennox Stakes (Group 2)
NOBLE CHAMPION ran out an impressive winner of the Jersey Stakes in which only two horses ever threatened to land the spoils. He looked like a budding star in the way he brushed aside Spy Chief, who then upheld the form with a good run in the July Cup. The colt looked in great form in his work in Lambourn this week and just needs to show he can handle this much different track and a race where they can go steady.
FORT GEORGE – trainer Ed Walker, Mile and a quarter handicap on Thursday.
His Newmarket success was enhanced when the second went on to win the Italian Derby and Walker has been mindful of preserving his handicap mark for a race owners John and Fitri Hay would love to win. They are Goodwood devotees and live close to the racecourse.
JOHAN – trainer Jack Channon, Golden Mile Handicap on Friday
While Channon has high hopes for UBBAN LION in this, but let’s not forget the 2023 winner JOHAN who is in especially good form and about to belatedly begin his 2025 campaign. He’s not been seen since finishing third at Saint-Cloud last autumn but went well in a private gallop at Newbury this week working with barnmate Rathgar. Urban Lion took longer than expected to get over his Hunt Cup exertions, but if taking his chance has to be respected with a low draw a potential boon to both of the West Ilsley horses.
SEE THE FIRE – trainer Andrew Balding, Nassau Stakes, Thursday
SEE THE FIRE showed how effective she is running against her own sex when landing a Listed race at York by a record margin. When encountering males in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot she was in no way disgraced in finishing third, beaten four and a half lengths by Ombudsman. She’s a strong traveller who finished runner-up to Opera Singer in the corresponding race 12 months ago, but has improved from three to four.
