Oaks trial at Goodwood

The listed Height of Fashion Stakes for 3yo fillies over 10furlongs at 16.45 CET at Goodwood today is regarded as a late trial for the Oaks, and indeed 2010 winner Snow Fairy went on to score at Epsom. However today´s field looks sub-standard and none of the 11 runners is even entered in the Oaks. Elik (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), a daughter of the German mare Elopa, is the likely favourite; she is still a maiden but ran a good race when a close fourth in the Cheshire Oaks after not getting a clear run, and that form may be good enough. The Irish filly Harmonic Note (Ger Lyons/ Jamie Spencer) is actually top-rated here, but her only win from 10 starts came in a Dundalk handicap; however she has not been disgraced in better races his year. Others to be considered are Heading North (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), Trapeze (John Gosden/ William Buick) and Mick Channon´s pair, but we shall stick with Elik.

The 7 furlongs handicap at 16.10 looks very tricky, but we like The Confessor (Henry Candy/ Cathy Gannon), who can turn the tables on George Guru (Mike Attwater/ Jamie Spencer), who beat him over this CD last time; Noble Citizen (David Simcock/ Martin Lane) ran badly on his seasonal debut but ran second in this race last year and should also be thereabouts. It could be a good afternoon for Gannon, as we also like her prospects on Andrew Balding´s lightly-weighted filly Silver Samba in the 2 mile handicap at 17.20. Cosimo de Medici (Hughie Morrison/ Robert Havlin), who won this in 2011, is an obvious danger, while Montaff (Mick Channon/ Martin Harley), out of form all recent starts, would be a huge threat if anywhere near back to his best.

There is also quite a decent card this afternoon at Haydock, where Basseterre (Charlie Hills/ Kieren Fallon) could take the mile handicap at 17.05, and also this evening, with several of the jockeys at Goodwood in the afternoon will be at Sandown, and others travelling west to ride at Salisbury. There is jumps racing this afternoon at Wetherby and a mixed meeting (four flat races followed by three over hurdles) this evening at Clonmel/ Ireland.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Kiyoshi - Mildenhall - Ihtimal
2. Race: Zamoyski - King Of The Danes - Lamusawama
3. Race: George Guru - Chandlery - The Confessor
4. Race: Elik - Heading North - Harmonic Note
5. Race: Silver Samba - Cosimo De Medici - Bow To No One
6. Race: Emiratesdotcom - New Decade - Commandingpresence