FIRST RACE: bet365.com HANDICAP
ARLEQUIN SCORES AT 20/1
A final-furlong flourish was not quite enough for Modun, who finished runner-up in the opener at the 2011 Glorious Goodwood festival.
There was a 20/1 shock in the opening bet365.com Handicap when Arlequin made the long journey from James Bethell’s North Yorkshire stable worthwhile when scoring by a neck under Graham Gibbons beating Ryan Moore-ridden Modun by a neck, with Our Joe Mac one and a quarter lengths back in third.
“It’s a brilliant start to the week - it’s the only runner I have! It’s worth the trip down for that sort of money,” said Bethell.
“He is quite a good horse but he has been a bit unlucky - I was aiming him at the John Smith’s Cup but he didn’t get in because he was a pound or two too low. It must have been bad planning!
“I didn’t think he’d get through on the rail so I was a bit worried for a while. My daughter rides him at home so she keeps him under control.
“We have been to France with him and he could possibly go to York now for a mile and quarter handicap at York on August 17 next although he is also in a Group 3 at Baden Baden at the end of next month. I hope he is still improving.”
Gibbons added: “It’s nice to get a big one on a big day like today. They didn’t really go that hard up the hill and Silvestre (de Sousa on Jutland) kicked on coming down the hill, which strung us out a bit. But this fellow has got a bit of pace and I was just sitting where I wanted to be.
“Once he got that gap, it helped him - once he got a little bit of daylight he picked up real good. He didn’t actually have to fight for that long because he didn’t see Modun until the last 100 yards.
“I got a great run up the inside but I had nowhere else to go than up the rail. I took a chance but it paid off. I was always travelling comfortably and could go whenever I wanted.
“There’s a bit of juice in the ground which helped him and I think the ground is just on the slow side of good. There’s a nice covering of grass.”
SECOND RACE: bet365 Gordon Stakes
50 UP FOR JOHNSTON THANKS TO FABULOUS NAMIBIAN
7/1 chance Namibian added to his Royal Ascot victory when landing the bet365 Gordon Stakes and becoming trainer Mark Johnston’s 50th Glorious Goodwood winner.
Ridden by in-form Silvestre De Sousa, Namibian dropped back to 12 furlongs for today’s race, having won the Queen’s Vase over two miles at the Royal meeting. This was the three-year-old’s seventh race of the season.
Johnston said: “Silvestre said they went quick so he sat in behind, although I did think the pace was too slow for him early in the race. I knew he would stay at the finish and he’s outstayed his rival [favourite Fiorente]. He started in a fairly low grade and made rapid progress since that Musselburgh handicap [in June before Royal Ascot], but he just wasn’t ready earlier in the season.
“It was a last-minute decision to run today, because we had Dordogne in the race and he was a proven mile-and-a-half horse and a course winner at Goodwood, so he was my preferred choice, but I feared that the ground might be easy - and it’s not, it’s probably perfect - and with the rain this morning that made up my mind. “It’s great to get a winner on the board so early in the meeting - it enables you to relax for the week.”
Namibian is quoted at 8/1 for the Ladbrokes St Leger with Victor Chandler, and Johnston said: “I’ll have to talk to the owner, but today has shown that a mile and three quarters should be no problem at Doncaster.”
Of De Sousa he said: “I think confidence in a jockey is a huge factor, and he has it in abundance. He’s not worried when Ryan Moore is alongside him and nor do I.”
De Sousasaid: “He travelled well and I was happy in the position I found myself. He’s a genuine horse and tough, and if you’re on the best horse you’ll win the race. Ryan is a very strong jockey in a finish, but my horse was running for me.
“I never thought I’d be in the first three in the jockeys’ championship, and now I’ve been there for three weeks, but I’m not thinking about the title. If I’m there in the final week I’ll go for it, but I just want to ride winners.
“Namibian is a lovely horse and he tries hard. I was a little bit concerned with the trip - the step back from two miles to a mile and a half - but he got it well. I am pleased with the way he did it.
“I would say that the St Leger distance would suit him and he loved today’s ground.”
FIORENTE STILL POSSIBLE FOR DONCASTER
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Fiorente lost out by a neck to Namibian when sent off 11/10 favourite for the Group 3 bet365 Gordon Stakes but the runner-up could still takes his chance in the Ladbrokes St Leger in September.
“Our fellow is a progressive horse but we were beaten fair and square,” said Stoute. “He doesn’t have a lot of mileage on the clock. He is in the Leger but it’s not a good time to make a decision on that now.”
Peter Reynolds, manager to owners Ballymacoll Stud, added: “That was the first time he’s ever had to battle in a race and it will have taught him a lot. We might end up going for the Great Voltigeur at York and that would give us a better idea about the St Leger.
THIRD RACE: bet365 LENNOX STAKES (GRP 2)
STRONG SUIT ON TOP
Red Jazz made much of the running until nabbed by Strong Suit in the bet365 Lennox Stakes, the feature race on day one of Glorious Goodwood. After a narrow defeat in a Group One race in France on his previous outing, the Richard Hannon-trained Strong Suit returned to the number one spot when justifying 5/2 favouritism to land the feature Group Two bet365 Lennox Stakes on day one of Glorious Goodwood.
The three-year-old had been revitalised by a wind operation prior to his victory in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and trainer Richard Hannon is hoping for Group One glory before the year end.
“His throat was gradually narrowing but the operation put that right and he was back to his old self,” said Hannon. “We worked him one day at Kempton with Canford Cliffs and he went so well that I said to his owner Julie Wood that we’d take our chance at Ascot and both horses won there.
“We were only beaten a head and a nose last time in France in a Group One and it would be nice to win one. The Prix La Foret might be the right race for him.
Looking ahead to Canford Cliffs’ run tomorrow in the ‘Duel On The Downs’, Hannon added: “We’re giving a lot of weight away but we’ll give it a shot and it’s just unfortunate that one of them will get beat.”
Jockey Richard Hughes added: “It’s nice to get off the mark and when this horse is good he’s very good. Something upset him in France last time, I don’t know if he didn’t travel over well or he got stung or something.
“He gave me an awful ride to the start that day, he was jig jogging and it’s not in his nature to do that. I was never happy with him in the race but he was only beaten a couple of heads.
“Today he was just beautiful going to the start - a different horse. When he is good, he is good and he never does anything when he hits the front so there is no point going on - he would only throw it away and lose it. We were just worried that, having had his wind operation, the ground might have too much cut in it but he was fine.
“I was just practising for Canford Cliffs, hopefully!”
Owner Julie Wood added: “As he was turning into the straight he looked in control but you never know. Richard made his own move and didn’t wait for anyone else and he was cruising in the end.
“He’s come back to be the horse we always thought he was after the wind operation. We’ve been through a lot with him and are very fond of him.”
HILLS TAKES HUGHES TO TASK AFTER SUIT BEATS JAZZ
Trainer Barry Hills said of Red Jazz, who is owned by Ronnie Arculli: “He may go to Hong Kong later on, but for now he’ll keep going in races of this type.”
Hills was critical of Richard Hughes, who rode the winner, and said: “The winner chopped across him, and he [Hughes] keeps doing it. The winner won on merit, but it’s wrong. It was the sort of move that could have cost us second.” Asked if he was referring to the finish of races in general, or of Hughes in particular, Hills said: “You look at the form, and you’ll soon see.”
Third-placed Beacon Lodge put up another pleasing performance for trainer Clive Cox who said: “He’s flown home. He appreciated the extra millimetre of rain this morning, but once more he’s shown he can compete in these top races.
FOURTH RACE: bet365 Molecomb Stakes
REQUINTO HAS REQUISITE SPEED IN BET365 MOLECOMB
Ireland chalked up a Glorious Goodwood winner when Requinto scored for trainer David Wachman in the bet365 Molecomb Stakes.
Ridden by Wayne Lordan, who wore the colours of Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith, Requinto emerged from stall 14 next to the rails, but was switched to the middle of the track for a final-furlong flourish that carried him clear of runner-up Burwaaz and third-placed Charles The Great. It was a first winner at Goodwood for both trainer and jockey.
Lordan said: “This fellow has shown lots of pace in Ireland but he was going half flat out here today because they went very quick.
"I was just trying to hang on a small bit for the end. There were a few horses in front of me, so I pulled him out to give him a bit of daylight. After all they’re all only two-year-olds and it was only his fifth start. He went a length clear and did it well.
“Five furlongs suit him best - at home we’ve often thought six would be fine, but five is best. He’s very straightforward, a lovely horse and a child could ride him. He just does everything at his own pace.
“He is an improving horse. He has a good mind as well, so everything is grand.
“This is my first Glorious Goodwood winner and I had my first winner at Royal Ascot last month, so I am delighted.
“We feel as though we’re on top with our two-year-olds [at Wachman’s stables] so we’re hoping for a good season.”
Kevin Buckley, who represents Coolmore Stud in Britain and therefore acts for the winning trio of owners, said: “David is at Galway today saddling runners. They went incredibly quick and he was tapped for a stride, but he’s inherited a lot of speed from his dam, Damson [winner of the Queen Mary and Phoenix Stakes], who was very fast. He’s picked up a lot of attributes from her, and the sire [Dansili].
“He would be better suited by faster ground, but he’s very good at this trip. David will make the decisions once the horse gets home, but could he be a candidate for the Flying Childers, possibly?”
BURWAAZ BEATEN BY BETTER HORSE
Trainer Ed Dunlop believes Burwaaz ran into a high-class performer when losing out by a length and a quarter to Requinto in the bet365 Molecomb Stakes.
“We were slammed by a very good horse (Harbour Watch) at Newmarket last time and I believe we’ll see him in the Richmond Stakes and we were beaten by another very good one here. But our’s ran a very good race,” said Dunlop.
Andrew Balding is likely to step third-placed Charles The Great up in trip. “The draw meant he probably ended up racing on the slower part of the track but that’s the way it goes,” said Balding. “I’m keen to try him over six furlongs and he’s in the Middle Park and Mill Reef. I will discuss with the owners about where we go next.”
FIFTH RACE WINNING QUOTES: CASINO AT bet365 EBF ‘ASSERTIVE’ MAIDEN
TOOTH’S MOUSTACHE BY A NOSE
Moustache carried owner Raymond Tooth’s colours to a nose success in the Casino At bet365 EBF ‘Assertive’ Maiden and his trainer Richard Hannon predicts a big future for the Mujadil colt. Twice-raced Moustache won this maiden race, but only by a nose from debutant Llanarmon Lad from Barry Hills’ Lambourn stable.
Llanarmon Lad, the mount of Darryll Holland, was sired by Red Clubs, another horse whose racing career was guided by Hills. Red Clubs, whose first crop are now two-year-olds, suffered an injury in the covering sheds while at stud in Ireland, and was put down earlier this year.
Asked if this colt resembled his sire, Hills said: “Actually this one is a bit bigger. It’s sad the sire died, but I saw this colt at stud and liked him and bought him.”
Llanarmon Lad was last of the 13 runners after a furlong, but came wide of the field to get into contention. Hills said: “He was drawn two on the outside, and I wanted him to have the chance to come over to the rails. I like them ridden like that on this course and don’t want them up in the firing line all the way. He’s run very well.”
“He’s a pretty good horse,” said Hannon. “He’s a baby and he’s growing up and won’t have too much more racing this year.
He had an infection when he ran at Chepstow. We thought that he was a certainty there and Jimmy Fortune rode him - he said that he wobbled a bit and went inside. We got him back, scoped him and he had a little bit of blood. We gave him a course of antibiotics to put him right.
“He’s a pretty good horse but he is a baby and he is still growing up. I hope that he is going to be a very good horse one day and he won’t have too much more this year.
“He worked well with Chandlery (who runs in Wednesday’s Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes) the other morning and Chandlery worked slightly the better. Moustache had a very good blow that morning because we had laid him off for quite a long time but then we gave him a nice strong canter the following morning and he cleared, so we thought that we would come here.
“We’ve got four in the race tomorrow and they are all owned by different people so we’re letting them take their chances.”
The victory completed a 23.5/1 double for Hannon and Richard Hughes after Strong Suit’s earlier success.
SIXTH RACE: Poker At bet365 Handicap
WALKER LANDS FIRST GOODWOOD WINNER
New trainer Ed Walker, a former disciple of Luca Cumani, saddled his first Goodwood winner when Red Gulch won this competitive handicap.
Ridden by Jean-Pierre Guillambert, Red Gulch scored by a length and three quabrters from Guest Book. Walker would be no stranger to the big occasion given his time with Cumani, but of his success at this key meeting he said: “It’s amazing - I can’t really explain it!”
Of Red Gulch he said: “He’s been running so well, and creeping up the handicap, and he’s only had one bad race in the Bunbury Cup [at Newmarket]. I made a hash there by insisting that J-P went across to the far side, but in addition the horse came back with a dirty scope. We cleared that up, he’s been in cracking form at home and we thought he should take his chance.
“I was worried his handicap mark had gone too high - he won a race for Ed Dunlop before we bought him at the sales and went up 8lb, and in the Bunbury Cup he was 15lb higher than for his previous win and I thought that was it, but today he was at the top of his game.
“I was pretty confident he would stay a mile. He’s had five tough races this season, so we’ll wait and see what the handicapper does, and he clearly likes a bit of cut in the ground so the weather will be a factor too.”
Walker, who confirmed he plans to run strongly-fancied Riggins in the totesport Mile on Friday, said: “Riggins is always exciting/heart-stopping, but he seems in good form and we’re looking forward to him running.”
Mark Johnston, trainer of the runner-up, said: “Everything was pretty straight-foward for him in the race, and he’s likely to run again this week. Most probably in the mile-and-one apprentices’ handicap on Saturday.”
SEVENTH RACE WINNING QUOTES: MOBILE AT bet365 HANDICAP
ELVIS TAKES FINALE
Charismatic sprinter Secret Asset took the concluding Mobile At bet365 Handicap by a length to the delight of trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.
“We call him Elvis at home because he has a suspicious mind,” said Chapple-Hyam. “He’s a real character. When he came to me he had eight stalls tickets and if he’d got one more he would have banned for racing for life here, he’d have had to go to France.
“He’ll just keep on running until Christmas on the turf and all-weather and probably come back here on Saturday. I don’t think he’ll get in the Stewards’ Cup as he needs 10 to come out but he’ll go for the consolation race if he’s OK tomorrow. We’ll take him home rather than leave him in the stables here because he prefers to be in his box at home or out in a paddock.”