We bring you all of our best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from the Goodwood Festival on 2 August 2023.
Goodwood Festival – Day 2
Race 1 – AMLETO 2/1
The nap vote goes to the William Haggas-trained AMLETO in the opening Coral Handicap.
The three-year-old brother to dual Group One winner Sea Of Class looked clueless on his Kempton introduction in the autumn, but there was definite encouragement to be taken from his fourth-placed finish at the same track next time behind Mostabshir, who is now rated 107.
Having been gelded during the off-season, he made a smart comeback at Chester in May, pulling right away in soft ground, and an opening mark of 89 looks very workable.
Race 2 – JUMBLY 9/2
The Group Three Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes looks a good opportunity for JUMBLY to open her account for the year.
Formerly a high-class performer for Harry and Roger Charlton, the four-year-old changed hands in November for a cool 1.25 million guineas and moved to Ireland to join Joseph O’Brien.
She has performed creditably in defeat in two Group Twos so far this term and the combination of a slight ease in class and a return to easier conditions should do the trick.
Race 3 – BAHEER 9/2
BAHEER is taken to provide trainer Richard Hannon with a third successive victory in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Molecomb Stakes.
There was plenty of talk about the Mehmas colt prior to his debut at Newbury in May, but he was upstaged by 150/1 shot Zoulu Chief.
He rewarded those who kept the faith at the same track four weeks ago though, dominating from the front and winning as he liked over the straight six furlongs.
The speed he showed that day suggested a drop back to five furlongs should not be an issue and he looks the value call against the exciting KYLIAN and Royal Ascot winner BIG EVS.
Race 4 – PADDINGTON 4/9
The prolific PADDINGTON is difficult to oppose as he bids to continue his flawless campaign in the Qatar Sussex Stakes.
The Siyouni colt has carried all before him in five starts so far this season, progressing from a handicap win at Leopardstown to becoming the standout colt of his generation.
He was brilliant in winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes and successfully stepped up to a mile and a quarter when seeing off Emily Upjohn in an Eclipse thriller.
He now reverts to a mile in a bid to emulate the great Giant’s Causeway, who won the St James’s Palace and Eclipse before adding the Sussex to his CV.
Top-class older filly INSPIRAL is the clear threat, but trying to give 4lb to a horse of Paddington’s class, particularly on rain-softened ground, is expected to prove beyond her.
