TODAY's racing features a good card at Goodwood, with other turf meetings at Perth, Redcar and Sligo, whilst there is all-weather racing at Kempton and Newcastle. All my selections are on the turf and will appreciate the softer conditions.
Yesterday I had a fabulous day MC’ing the Warwickshire Food & Drink Raceday, with an excellent range of local exhibitors, a couple of excellent demos, with Adam Bennett from Michelin star The Cross in Kenilworth and Lawrie Jeffries Jockey Club Catering’s chef for Warwick, which won Best Fine Dining (Small racecourses) for their 1707 Restaurant at the National Racecourse Catering Awards. It was great to tip up Treacle Tart at 12/1 for in-form Charlie Longsdon!
Looking ahead, the bags are packed for the start of tomorrow’s Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting, with an outstanding three days of racing to look forward to in what is a super vintage year for two-year-olds. Away from the racing, there is plenty of entertainment, with the return of the three-day annual Beer Festival. See you there!
2.20 Redcar Handicap 5f
Lydiate Lady doesn’t win many but she gave notice her turn wasn’t far away with a close second at Hamilton at the weekend and she now looks ready to strike. Soft ground poses no fears and she’s very well handicapped at present. Must go close here.
2.30 Goodwood Handicap 1m
Soft ground is going to prove a major stumbling block for many of these, but that won’t be the case for Alemaratalyoum (nap), who goes well in it, and he’ll appreciate this step back up to a mile after finding 6f at Chelmsford just too sharp last time. Stuart Williams’ yard has had a great season, and this looks another winner for them.
3.25 Redcar Handicap 6f
Quanah was having his first start for the Liam Bailey yard at the weekend when turning in a much-improved effort at Hamilton (on soft ground) and it would appear it’s not taken his new team long to find out the key to him. Upped in trip here, which will help, is open to some improvement and is an interesting contender at a big price.
Qarasu a convincing winner in the first race of the day for us at @NewburyRacing
Roger Charlton has now sent out a total of 6 winners from his last 17 runners..
Impressive!
@RacingTV
pic.twitter.com/jfmMBvBAxg— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) August 17, 2019
3.40 Goodwood Listed Race 1m 2f
The progressive Qarasu can cause an upset here against the obvious favourite Air Pilot, who after another absence ran below par in France when last seen. In contrast Qarasu last two starts have seen him take quite a step forward and although he needs more, the soft ground is in his favour and there is more to come from this three-year-old.
4.10 Goodwood Handicap 1m 6f
Monica Sheriff has been in cracking form, notching up a hat-trick at Newcastle last time out, having won on good to soft and heavy previously at Flos Las and Haydock respectively. William Haggas’ charge looks open to progressive and the step up in trip will suit too.
