DAY Two of The Qatar Goodwood Festival unfortunately is going to be a wet day with currently 17mm of rain forecast at the time of writing on Monday evening. As a result, the rain could have a significant impact on results throughout the afternoon, including the feature Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1) in which Paddington, winner of the Eclipse at Sandown beating Emily John is Unibet 4/9 on. Of course it ought to be Paddington’s to lose, but whilst he is indeed proven on soft ground, his better form this season has come on a sound surface and it does ask a slight question, particularly as he did carry his head slightly awkwardly at Sandown when beating Emily Upjohn, who clearly failed to give her true running at the weekend in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
These are only small negatives of course towards Paddington’s chance, but when you’re dealing with 4-9 on favourites, you want everything just right, and if there are chinks in his armour then Aldaary (see below) can take advantage with Unibet paying two places.
We can remember Here Comes When winning the Sussex Stakes in 2017 at 20/1 in admittedly atrocious conditions when there was 35mm of rain on the day, with Goodwood still able to race the next day. Thankfully, we are not looking at those levels of rainfall.
Enjoy whether at Goodwood or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.50 Goodwood – Handicap (1m 4f)
Westerton (nap) has been placed three times on soft ground already, he’s improved on his last two starts, winning at Sandown and then improving on that when third in an ultra-competitive handicap at Newmarket’s July Festival last time when marked up each away in my Unibet blog. Rewatching the Newmarket race Westerton definitely looks to be ready for this step up to one mile four furlongs now, and he looks rock-solid to run his race once again on his first appearance at Goodwood.
Unibet are offering MONEY BACK AS CASH if 2nd or 3rd on this race (from 9:00am)
2.25 Goodwood – Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes Group 3 (7f)
White Moonlight is an attractive mare who has been in smart form this season and is coming here looking for a three-timer. White Moonlight won a Listed race at Musselburgh in June in good style and then after a break made all to win another Listed contest at Chelmsford last month. This impressive mare raced in Meydan earlier in the year and was second in the Group 2 Cape Verdi (Samedi Rien third). Conditions will be fine for White Lightening, who has won on good to soft and her dam had plenty of winning form in soft conditions so comes here with strong claims.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
Samedi Rien, who is trained in Spain, had been very consistent back at home and this year has had two starts at Meydan, finishing third on both occasions, with the latter appearance in the Group 2 Cape Verdi (White Moonlight second) . Samedi Rien was then off for four months and finished a good second beaten half a length in a race in Madrid back in June when returning to action. This consistent type, who raced well in Meydan, has won on soft and good to soft and could be overlooked here.
3.00 Goodwood – Jaeger-Lecoultre Molecomb Stakes Group 3 (5f)
Big Evs made a massive step up on a promising debut run when showing loads of speed to win the Listed Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot by three lengths from Johannes Brahms. Big Evs should be really suited by Goodwood from a speed perspective, whilst the ground is an unknown but Blue Point’s progeny are getting their fair share of winners in the surface, and he can have this field in trouble a long way out if he acts on it.
Unibet are SUPERBOOSTING the price of EVERY RUNNER in this race!
3.35 Goodwood – Qatar Sussex Stakes Group 1 (1m)
Aldaary (each way) is the one in the field who will welcome the rainfall as the ground can’t be deep enough for him and still has time to show himself as top class, particularly under these conditions.
This five-year-old had one start in May 2022 when winning a Listed race at Haydock beating Bounce The Blues and then was off with a fracture when not appearing until July of this year. He has perhaps needed both runs back since his fracture more than was thought when finishing fourth at Newmarket and then showing more promise in the Summer Mile Stakes Group 2 at Ascot when runner-up to Master Of The Seas. If there are any chinks in Paddington’s armoury, then Aldaary maybe can take advantage.
Unibet are SUPERBOOSTING the price of EVERY RUNNER in this race!
5.20 Goodwood – Handicap 7f
Classic for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon delivered a career best performance at Sandown’s Eclipse meeting and this son of Dubawi, who has always looked like he can become a smart performer can step up again. At the 2022 Qatar Goodwood Festival Classic finished second to The Foxes (winner of the Dante) just beaten a neck when favourite in an EBF Maiden Stakes so we know he goes well at the course and ignore his last start here earlier in the season. Also, ground won’t be a problem, as Classic has won on soft, he is in good form and has strong each way claims.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
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