Glorious Goodwood Day 3 Tips and Predictions for Thursday 1st August

1:50 Goodwood

The opener on Day 3 is a 1m2f handicap. 

It’s APPROVAL (10/1) EW for me who was an impressive winner at Windsor two starts back in a decent novice race. He made all that day and put distance between himself and the others close to home which was a taken effort. He tried similar tactics at Royal Ascot but he went too hard from the front that day and I’m happy to draw a line through that effort. He’s a typical progressive 3 year-old handicapper from the Haggas yard and I’m confident he can resume his progression in a less competitive handicap on a more ideal track for front runners.

 

2:25 Goodwood

The 2:25 from Goodwood is the Group 2 Richmond Stakes, a 2 year-old 6f contest.

I think THE STRIKIN VIKING (11/8) will take a fair bit of beating here in this. The ex-Kevin Ryan charge has joined the Al Jehani yard and they could well have a top 2 year-old on their hands here. He was an impressive debut winner at York before being pitched into Group 1 company on his just second start in the Railway Stakes over at the Curragh. He finished second there behind Henri Matisse and that is comfortably the best form on offer in this line-up. He’s open to further progress and he sets a high bar back down in Grade for Wathnan Racing.

 

3:00 Goodwood

Next up is the Gordon Stakes, a Group 3 for the 3 year-olds over 1m4f.

It is hard to get away from JAN BRUEGHEL (Evs) NB in this for the Coolmore operation. It is certainly not a strong renewal of the Gordon Stakes by any stretch of the imagination and connections will be disappointing if the unbeaten colt isn’t up to landing this as he steps into Group company for the first time. He’s been impressive in both starts at the Curragh looking very professional both times and he was strong through the line. Those two performances were over 1m2f and this extra 2f looks sure to suit. I think he’ll improve for it and his main market rival Bellum Justum has stamina concerns over this trip to my eye. I have the favourite down as very tough to beat.

 

3:35 Goodwood 

The feature on Thursday comes up at 3:35, the Group 1 Nassau Stakes over the 1m2f trip.

I think OPERA SINGER (2/1) NAP is coming to the boil now this season and connections do seem confident heading into this Group 1. She was a star 2 year-old last year which included a 5 length victory in the Marcel Boussac to end her campaign. She returned to action with a solid third in the Irish 1000 Guineas before chasing home Porta Fortuna in the Coronation Stakes last time out to finish second. She improved from that first outing to her second and I’d expect her to improve again now with that further run under her belt. Chief rival in this Emily Upjohn does bring a solid level of form but she has to give weight away to Opera Singer here and she’s drawn out in the widest stall which makes life tricky. I think Opera Singer can take this before further Group 1 targets await in the latter half the season.

 

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