Glorious Goodwood Festival Day 5
1:50pm 1m6f Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+)
Small Fry has shaped like a horse with unfinished business this season and looks primed to strike now dropping back in trip. He was a dual festival winner last July for the Moores, landing handicaps at Chester and Epsom over 1m4f off much lower marks, showing a blend of stamina, balance and determination. Since joining Joseph O’Brien he’s been lightly campaigned, making the frame over hurdles before returning to the Flat with a highly encouraging run at Royal Ascot. That Ascot Stakes effort over 2m4f was full of promise. Turned for home towards the rear, he had far too much to do but stayed on powerfully into sixth of 20, beaten just 3½ lengths. He ran to form, saw out the trip well, and shaped like a horse still improving for this yard. Crucially, he races off the same mark here, and the drop back in distance looks a major plus. He’s effective from 12f to 20f, acts on any ground, and arrives in form.
With Oisin Murphy booked, and Joseph O’Brien’s runners always respected in these staying handicaps, Small Fry looks a big player. There are dangers. Tarriance is the class angle, Valedictory is progressive and fits the profile of past winners, and Aeronautic went close in this last year. But Small Fry’s Ascot run screamed next time, and this looks exactly the right setup. Unexposed for this yard, in form, and with conditions to suit, he’s strongly fancied to go very close.
Selection: Small Fry 5/1 with BetMGM
2:25pm 1m4f Coral Glorious Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Opportunity has taken a big step forward since being gelded and now looks a rapidly improving middle‑distance colt who can make his mark at this level. Lightly raced for a 4yo, he returned to the Flat with a smooth win at Carlisle over 1m3f, travelling strongly and asserting with plenty in hand. That set him up perfectly for the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot, where he took another leap forward.Upped to 1m4f, he travelled like the best horse throughout, moved into contention effortlessly, and put the race to bed with authority, beating Warrant Holder by nearly two lengths. It wasn’t the strongest renewal, but the manner of victory, well on top at the finish, suggested he’s ready for a rise in grade.
He’s by Frankel out of a Group 1 winning mare, and his pedigree screams improvement over 11 to 12f. He acts on good to firm and soft ground, is a big, scopey colt, and still has plenty of room to progress. With his yard having won the last three runnings of this race, the setup looks ideal.There are dangers, Valedictory is solid, and Tarriance brings class, but Opportunity arrives in top form, is unexposed at this level, and has the profile of a horse who can take another step forward.
Selection: Opportunity 2/1 with BetMGM
3:00pm 1m6f Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+)
Waardah returns to Goodwood as a major player and looks primed to defend her crown. She improved sharply when upped in trip last summer, storming clear for Listed success over 1¼m here before following up in this race, beating Danielle by three quarters of a length. Goodwood clearly suits her, she’s 2 from 2 at the track, and her blend of stamina, balance and determination makes her a natural around its turning, undulating layout. Her reappearance this May was another big step forward. Sent to Carlisle for the Group 3 Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes, she travelled strongly off a slow pace and made a proper race of it with Estrange, who has since boosted the form by winning the Group 1 Pretty Polly. Waardah was beaten only 1½ lengths, shaping as though she’d tighten up for the run. With that form now franked at the highest level, she arrives here with momentum.
She’s effective from 10f to 14f, acts on soft, good to soft and fast ground, and remains open to further improvement at staying trips. Owen Burrows is having an excellent season, and Waardah’s profile, progressive, proven at the track, and still strengthening, makes her a standout contender. The dangers are clear. Consent is the only Group 1 winner in the field and escapes a penalty, Santorini Star should improve back up in distance with headgear removed, Amelia Earhart drops into calmer waters, and last year’s runner up Danielle can’t be dismissed. But Waardah’s course record, her strong Carlisle return, and her proven ability to peak at this meeting all point towards another big run. She looks ready to repeat last year’s success.
Selection: Waardah 2/1 with BetMGM
3:35pm 6f Coral Stewards' Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+)
Two Tribes looks to be coming to the boil at exactly the right time and returns to Goodwood with a major chance of defending his crown. He surged clear to win this race 12 months ago on good to soft ground, travelling strongly and putting the race to bed inside the final furlong. That win completed a memorable double, having landed the International at Ascot just a week earlier, and he’s continued to show that big handicap ability since. His latest run at Ascot was a clear return to form. From a poor position, he stayed on powerfully into second, beaten just 1¼ lengths by Amazing Journey, and he now finds himself 2lb ahead of the handicapper. He’s effective at 6f and 7f, acts on good to soft and good to firm, and his profile suggests he peaks in midsummer.
He’s 7lb higher than when winning this last year, but the way he finished at Ascot, coming from further back than ideal, suggests he’s better than ever. If turned out quickly, he has a fine chance of becoming the fifth horse to win back to back Stewards’ Cups.There are dangers, Tarriance brings class, Valedictory is progressive, and Aeronautic went close in this last year. But Two Tribes’ course record, current form, and handicapping edge make him a major player once again.
Selection: Two Tribes 7/1 with BetMGM
4:10pm 7f Phase Eight Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-105)
Naval Light took a little time to get his head in front, but the signs were always there. His maiden form as a 2yo was strong, including a good run at this meeting last year, and he’s now beginning to fulfil that early promise. Since returning this season he’s put together back to back wins under Jack Nicholls, first landing a Pontefract maiden over 6f on good to soft, then stepping forward again when taking a 7f handicap at Catterick on good to firm. That Catterick win was the clearest indication yet that he’s progressing. Back up in trip, he travelled smoothly, quickened well, and pulled 2 lengths clear off a 5lb lower mark. He’s effective at 6f and 7f, handles good to soft and fast ground, and the way he finished suggests 7f is probably his ideal trip for now.
He returns to handicaps still fairly treated, and with further improvement very much on the cards, he’s a strong contender in his hat trick bid. He also brings valuable Glorious Goodwood experience, which puts him right in the mix alongside Ghost Mode, another with course form. This is tougher than Catterick, but Naval Light’s profile, progressive, adaptable, and still strengthening, makes him a serious player. There are dangers, but it would be unwise to rule out another step forward. Naval Light has found his stride, arrives in form, and looks ready to show he belongs at this level.
Selection: Naval Light 7/1 with BetMGM
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