Thursday 2nd August - Goodwood

Two days in and the ship is reeling. Never a good position to be in during a festival, although I do remember one of my very best Cheltenham Thursdays was after a blank two days. We all need something to cling to!

Goodwood 2:15
Wannabee Posh 3/1
Hi calypso 3/1
Trick or Treat 6/1
Pentatonic 8/1
High Heal Sneekers 11/1
Alambic 14/1
Brisk Breeze 16/1
Oh Glory Be 20/1

Trick or Treat is an interesting runner here. She needs a soft lead to be effective and there must be a chance that will happen here. 8/1 and better looks fair in the circumstances. It may be best to wait until in-running though. Wannabee Posh needs a gallop and that should be assured if Trick or Treat does get taken. Hi Calypso looks very fairly priced and I'll add her to the portfolio.

Goodwood 2:50
Enticing 3/1
Wi Dud 9/2
Prime defender 9/1
Tax Free 10/1
Desert Lord 11/1
Celtic Mill 20/1

Be difficult for the top two to carry penalties here, particularly Desert Lord. Wi Dud drawn 16 somewhat uninspiring, Enticing better drawn though Spencer weaving late always hairy. Thought she could be special earlier in the season, and if even I was only half right she should take this. 7/2 perfectly acceptable.

Goodwood 3:25
Geordieland 5/2
Distinction 7/1
Veracity 7/1
Allegretto 10/1
Balkan Knight 10/1
Rayhani 10/1

Interesting race. Geordieland should win and on form should really be 6/4 or something and we should be getting our betting boots on. However, there has to be a real fear he's a bridle horse and that's where my prices took me. I've been on the wrong side of the obvious decisions to make in the big races this week though, so am hadly belligerent about this.

Of the others Distinction may or may not need the run; Balkan Knight looks a bit flattered for his two latest listed wins; Allegretto has been getting worked up and pulling too hard (watch in-running), and Rayhani hasn't really shown he's suited by the distance (Gerald delamere picks which I respect). That leaves Veracity, who will have to defy the trends as a 3 yr old. Not many have tried though and definitely looks an improver suited by step up in trip. 12/1 begging to be taken. We'll have to see where the market goes with Geordieland. I can see myself hedging him if enough people want to take him on.