Lots of non-runners at Goodwood

Yesterday´s rain has got into the ground at Goodwood, and consequently there are lots of non-runners today, the second day of their May meeting, including 8 in the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.35 CET, normally the top betting race of the day, and 6 in the fillies handicap at 18.10. There are also plenty of non-runners at the other meetings, so punters are strongly advised to check before placing their bets.

Main event at Goodwood is the listed Cocked Hat Stakes for 3yo´s over 1 mile 3 furlongs at 17.00, a last ditch Derby trial, although no winner has gone on to score at Epsom since Troy in 1979. Only 2 of the 5 runners hold an entry at Epsom, where the Derby will be run a fortnight tomorrow, and they could well fight out the finish: Observational (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle) and Signposted (Andrew Balding/ David Probert), both of whom should enjoy the soft going. Signposted finished just behind Marzocco (John Gosden/ Ryan Moore) in Epsom´s own Derby Trial and was then well beaten in the Lingfield Derby Trial, but we are hoping for a better performance today. Observational is still a maiden but has run well both starts against decent opponents. Barley Mow (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) has a penalty for winning at Newmarket, and he appears to be a difficult ride; we are also not sure that he will act on the ground.

Even with the decimated fields, the handicaps look tricky. We suggest,more in hope than in confidence, Atlantis Crossing (James Boyle/ Pat Cosgrave) at 15.50, Kalispell (Charlie Appleby/ Ryan Moore) at 16.25, Ashpan Sam (Jon Spearing/ Moore) at 17.35 and Ryan Moore again at 18.10 on Sir Michael Stoute´s Adore.