Goodwood and Lingfield

The only flat racing in the U.K. today comes from Goodwood and Lingfield and easily the most interesting race is the listed Cocked Hat Stakes for 3yo´s over 11 furlongs at 16.25 CET at Goodwood. Previously known as the Predominate Stakes, this is the last recognised trial for the Derby, and several of the 6 runners still hold an entry for Epsom, notably the Queen´s Free Agent (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), unbeaten in 2 starts, but not seen out since winning at Royal Ascot 11 months ago. He will probably need the race today, but must run well to justify his place in the Derby field. The main danger is Chock a Block (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), who won his only start last season in good style at Longchamp and was afterwards sold to Godolphin. Alwaary (John Gosden/ Richard Hills), 4th in the Lingfield Derby Trial, and Sight Unseen (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), 4th in the Chester Vase, are also in with a chance. The next best race at Goodwood is the 2 mile handicap at 1 7.00, for which Kayf Aramis (Venetia Williams/ Jamie Spencer) is certain to start a warm favourite after his easy win at York last week. Much improved over hurdles -including a win at the Cheltenham festival - he still looks extremely well handicapped on the flat. The card at Lingfield, whr 3 races are run on the all-weather and 3 on turf, looks very pedestrian by comparison; the maiden race here over 1 1/2 miles at 15.00 has 12 runners, but should only concern Akmal (John Dunlop/ Tagd O´Shea) and Talimos (Ralph Beckett/ Richard Kingscote).