The horse racing broadcaster provides his tips for Day 5 of the Goodwood Festival, including a pick in the Summer Cup at Thirsk.
The final day of Goodwood sees it mix coverage with Newmarket and Thirsk to provide seven races on ITV.
The Stewards Cup is both the big race of the day and the major handicap of the week where three times course winner FAR ABOVE DREAM 13/2 (15:35 Goodwood) looks the one to beat. He ran well in the Wokingham when finishing fourth despite meeting a little bit of trouble and his proven ability at the track on fast ground very much counts in his favour. Two Tribes can make a bold bid to retain his crown after a good run at Ascot last week, but James Owen improvers can take a bit of stopping and the handicapper may not quite have caught up with Far Above Dream yet.
On the rest of the card, it can be a good afternoon for William Haggas with a couple of stable stalwarts starting with old AL AASY 9/4 (14:25 Goodwood) in the Glorious Stakes. He is always vulnerable to a steadily run race as he needs horses to be coming back to him in the closing stages as he doesn’t dig deep for a prolonged period of time, but he has a touch of class at this level and can beat stable companion Opportunity.
Just over half an hour later and SANTORINI STAR 5/1 (15:00 Goodwood) could be the answer to the Group 2 Lille Langtry. She chanced her arm in the Gold Cup last time in cheekpieces which are quickly dispensed with here, and she is better judged on her run in a Group 1 in France the time before where she finished second – splitting Caballo De Mar and Al Riffa. That form would be good enough to see her in front here.
Finally at Goodwood, STARTLED 15/2 (16:10 Goodwood) is a thoroughly likeable horse who can regain the winning thread in the 7f handicap. He had little chance as a hold up horse in the way the race played out at Chester last time, having rather bumped into one the time before over course and distance in Catullus. His come from behind sweeping style could suit in a race where there does seem to be enough pace and the 5lb claim of Harry Vigors is also handy in mitigating the rise in the weights after Goodwood.
Away from Goodwood, JEDDAAL 3/1 (14:08 Thirsk) can beat his older rivals in the Summer Cup at Thirsk. He won the Chester race in which Startled ran and looks progressive. A midfield draw is a help and with plenty of pace courtesy of the wonderfully named Dain Ma Nut In and Mr Swivell he can get the perfect trail into the race. Ed Walker is (9/39 A/E 1.20) with his runners at the Yorkshire track.
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