5 meetings today

The best racing at today´s 5 meetings comes from Goodwood, where the listed race for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 17.05 has 7 runners, 3 trained by Mick Channon and two by Richard Hannon. Richard Hughes prefers Professor of the two Hannon runners, despite his last time flop and the fact that Tamayuz Star (Pat Dobbs) won his only start, and that must be significant. However we prefer the Channon runners and especially the filly Jillnextdoor (Martin Harley), who has been runner-up 3 times and also ran well at Royal Ascopt and is now moving up in trip. The one to beat is Steeler (Mark Johnston/ Kieren Fallon) who was a maiden winner over this CD and then ran a great race to be second in a Group Three at York. The 2 mile handicap which follows at 17.40 looks very open.Top-weight Hurricane Higgins (Mark Johnston/ Neil Callan) was not beaten far when 10th in the Ebor and that is good form, while Mystery Star (Mark Tompkins/ Fallon) is very consistent and also ran well at York. The 3yo Gassin Golf (Sir Mark Prescott/ Luke Morris) could be dangerous off a light weight now upped in trip, while Woolfall Treasure (Gary Moore/ George Baker) was runner-up in the Shergar Cup over this distance. However we go for German-bred Rumh (Saeed bin Suroor/ Mikael Barzalona), who is not the most consistent but is very well treated on his best form.

The cards at Leicester and Musselburgh are poor in comparison, although it could come as no surprise to see Mark Johnston score at these meetings as well. A the former track he runs Crown Counsel (Neil Callan) under top weight in the mile handfovcap at 17.50; he has not won for 15 months but has come down in the ratings and is dropping in grade here. He ran well last time at York and should be able to give weight to this lot. In Scotland Johnston´ s Chatterati (Joe Fanning) runs off a very low rating in the 1 1/2 miles handicap at 17.25. He is clearly no star, but again should be able to deal wih this feeble opposition.

There is also racing in Ireland -on the flat at Killarney and over hurdles at Downpatrick. The most interesting race at the former track is the 2 yo maiden that opens the card at 14.45, with two well-bred Coolmore runners Hall of Mirrors (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) and debutant Orator (David Wachman/ Wayne Lordan). Hall of Mirrors has already shown decent form and is ther selection, although the Weld and Bolger runners could also be dangerous. The O´Brien´s can also take the mile maiden for older fillies half an hour later with Purple. Over sticks we think that Bobbina (Brian Hamiltón/ Andrew McNamara) may be able to beat the likely favourite Chiltern Hills (Willie and Emmet Mullins) in the mares maiden hurdle at 19.00, although the Mullins family can take the following race with Zadarska.

Goodwood - betting forecast:
1. Race: Uriah Heep - Afraah - Claude Monet
2. Race: Heading North - Great Timing - Liber Nauticus
3. Race: Normal Equilibrium - Tobacco Road - Sejalaat
4. Race: Steeler - Professor - Jillnextdoor
5. Race: Gassin Golf - Mystery Star - Woolfall Treasure
6. Race: Picture Dealer - Apollo D`Negro - Bravo Echo
7. Race: Jabhaat - Beautiful Story - Solace
8. Race: Taroum - Swift Blade - Rowan Ridge