Rest of Goodwood

Although the Sussex Stakes will take most of the headlines, the rest of the Goodwood card is also classy, and Richard Hannon, quite apart from Canford Cliffs, will be hopeful of taking the Group Two Vintage Stakes for 2yo´s at 15.35 CET, in which he saddles 4 of the 7 runners. Jockey bookings suggest that Chandlery (Richard Hughes) is his number one, and this one can reverse Newmarket placings with Red Duke (John Quinn/ Kieren Fallon) on 3 lbs better terms for a neck. However Elkhart (Mark Johnston/ Silvestre de Sousa), though moving up sharply in grade, could be a big danger after his easy win at Beverley.

The remaining races look very competitive. The opening Goodwood Stakes at 15.00 is a handicap over 2 miles 5 furlongs - one of the longest races in the calendar- and is often won by a N.H. horse, who make up most of the field today. Liberate (Philip Hobbs/ Jamie Spencer) and Spirit of Adjisa (Tim Vaughan/ Ryan Moore) have not run on the flat for ages, but are both in winning form over jumps, but our fancy is Raslan (David Pipe/ Adam Beschizza).

Johnston and de Sousa also have a chance here with Exemplary, but the stable has much better prospects in the 1 1/2 mile handicap for 3yo´s, where Johnston saddles 4 runners. Sadlers Risk (Neil Callan) is the best of them and his Chester form looks really strong, but he has a huge weight as a result, and we prefer Halifax (Kieren Fallon) and specially Greyfriars Drummer (De Sousa), whose jockey is currently Johnston´s favourite- and with good reason.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Spirit Of Adjisa - Liberate - Bow To No One
2. Race: Chandlery - Red Duke - Rockinante
3. Race: Frankel - Canford Cliffs - Rajsaman
4. Race: Tanfeeth - Halifax - Whiplash Willie
5. Race: Sunday Times - Diamond Finesse - Rakasa
6. Race: Common Touch - Shavansky - Lutine Bell
7. Race: Miss Diagnosis - Blessed Biata - Apache Glory