Glorious Goodwood approaches at the end of July, with the opening betting markets for some of the week’s biggest contests now open. GG tipster Joe Napier has looked into the available betting heats and has three ante-post tips in a trio of Group race contests.
Tuesday, 29th July – 2.30pm – HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (Group 2)
The trio generally ahead of AUDIENCE in the market for the Lennox Stakes all look likely to run in this race, but so striking was the manner of his victory last season that he could still be worth getting on side with now.
Despite only middling efforts since, the six-year-old, who became a Group 1 winner last season when getting loose on the lead in the Lockinge, is still rated 120. That was earned fairly too with those two performances last spring and summer, with him powering away on the front end to win this by four lengths in 2024.
He actually took a lead that day, but still races right on the front end, and was able to maintain his momentum all the way down Goodwood’s home stretch. Similar conditions could make him a very tricky horse to beat with him likely to regain his mojo at some stage.
Thursday, 31st July – 3.05pm – Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1)
Were Whirl to run here, she would likely be a fairly formidable foe, as would last year’s runner-up See The Fire, who is a better filly this year. Nevertheless, because she appeared to come from left field at Royal Ascot, there is a chance that Coronation Stakes heroine CERCENE is forgotten slightly in the market here.
She was only Joseph Murphy’s second ever winner in Britain, providing her veteran trainer with a first Group 1 winner nearly 50 years after he started. She had been steadily improving her form beforehand, placing on all three starts, including in the Irish 1000 Guineas, before that battling display.
She was handing runner-up Zarigana only a second ever career defeat that day and there was no fluke about it, for she missed the break and had to quickly recover a position. Having then raced just behind the pace and challenged early, she gamely repelled the favourite’s burst, with the two leaders ultimately fading well out of contention. Given she is by Australia, the extra 2f here could be right up her street, especially given how strongly she sees out 1m.
Friday, 1st August – 3.35pm – King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)
She had looked promising beforehand, but FROST AT DAWN has taken her form to a new level since May and that looks like it could easily continue into this Group 3. The King George Qatar Stakes often attracts a Group 1 quality field, but having only won at Listed level, William Knight’s filly escapes any penalties here.
She had won a Group 3 at Meydan in March 2024 without managing to kick on back on these shores, or in the USA, last season. However, after lowkey returns in the Middle East, then at Doncaster, she has kicked on, twice finishing runner-up in Listed company before winning at that level at Haydock.
Then came the major leap, as under Mickael Barzalona, she finished a neck second in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. She was slow out the blocks that day too, as is often the case, but she recovers quickly, and her maintenance of a gallop down Goodwood’s 5f should see her bang in contention.
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