Glorious Goodwood
1.50pm
Wargrave
I rode him when he finished a good sixth in the German 2000 Guineas, and he shaped as if a step up in trip would suit him there. He duly ran over 1m1f110yd at Gowran next time and he did well to finish a close second to an unbeaten and unexposed sort. We haven’t seen him since that run in June, but hopefully this Galileo colt proves to be fairly treated off 101. It looks a decent enough mark on the balance of his form.
2.25pm
Dream Shot
He had the option of the Vintage Stakes earlier in the week, but the decision to step him up to just 6f for the time being looks a sensible move. He overcame obvious greenness and inexperience when winning for me on his debut here, and he put a modest Beverley run behind him when second to Liberty Beach in the Dragon Stakes at Sandown last time. That certainly suggested this extra furlong would suit him. He clearly needs to improve for it against the likes of Coventry runner-up Threat, but this is just his fourth start, so let’s hope he can progress again.
3.00pm
Spanish Mission
I liked him at Goodwood and loved him at Newmarket. He was very impressive there, really getting into his stride in the closing stages and posting a very good performance in beating Nayef Road by 4 lengths. It took a while to pull him up there, too. His longer term plans are still up in the air – perhaps America, maybe Doncaster – but this will give us a better idea where to head, if anywhere. He relished the 1m5f at Newmarket, so hopefully coming back a furlong or so won’t bother him. He’s a good prospect, and a horse firmly on the up. He wouldn’t want any more rain, but we look okay on the weather front now, it seems. I gave him an easy gallop on Saturday. He is very straightforward and clean-winded, so he is easy to train, hence he didn’t need a run from Goodwood to Newmarket. He does have a penalty though, and they are never easy to carry in these races.
