Glorious Goodwood: day one

One of the hottest meetings of the year in Britain , Glorious Goodwood, kicks off today on the Sussex Downs. When the weather is good, there is no more attractive racecourse in Europe. Racing is of the highest quality, with 3 group races today and some really competitive handicaps. Main event is the Group Two Lennox Stakes over the specialist trip of 7 furlongs at 16.25 CET. Finjaan (Marcus Tregoning/ Richard Hills) won this narrowly last year from Balthazar´s Gift (Clive Cox/ Philip Robinson) with Main Aim (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) a most disappointing favourite. All 3 line up again, md whil Finjaan - who is unbeaten here - can be fancied again, he has not run since March (Meydan) and his stable has had a very poor season so far. 3yo´s have a good record here and Red Jazz (Barry and Michal Hills) must have a decent chance; he was runner-up to Premio Loco last time, and that form has been well boosted since. However our main fancy here is French raider Dalghar (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Gerald Mossé); he was beaten 6 lengths when fifth to Goldikova at Royal Ascot last time, and that form should suffice here.

Thr Group Three Gordon Stakes for 3yo´s over 1 1/2 miles at 15.45 is regarded as an important trial for the St. Leger, but in fact the last 2 runnings have been won by Conduit and Harbinger, who both went on to win the King George. Dandino (James Given/ Paul Mulrennan) is tremendously improved and is unbeaten in 4 starts this year; however he is taking another jump in class here. Corsica (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) is tough performer, while Godolphin´s Film Score (Frankie Dettori) should be better suited by this trip than the 10 furlongs over which he fourth at Royal Ascot. Jeremy Noseda holds a strong hand here, with Rebel Soldier (Ryan Moore), an easy handicap winner at York, and Theology (Paul Hanagan), a CD winner who was just touched off in the Queen´s Vase at Royal Ascot. In a tricky race, the last-named is our choice.

The Molecomb Stakes for speedy 2yo´s over 5 furlongs at 17.00 is the other group race. Richard Hannon has so far cleaned up on the juvenile division and has two runners here, Zebedee (Richard Hughes) and Avonmore Star (Gary Moore), both of which must be considered, as well as Mayson (Richrd Fahey/ Hanagan), who won in a canter at Hamilton but obviously faces much tougher opposition now, and Stone of Folka (Johh Best/ Jimmy Quinn), still a maiden but who ran two great races at Royal Ascot.

The handicaps here are always very difficult, but two trainers to follow at this meeting are Mark Johnston and Amanda Perrett. We especially like the latter´s runners Truism (Ryan Moore) at 17.35 and Classic Vintage (Jim Crowley) at 18.40.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Australia Day - Almiqdaad - Yamal
2. Race: Rebel Soldier - Arctic Cosmos - Dandino
3. Race: Finjaan - Red Jazz - Main Aim
4. Race: Zebedee - Stone Of Folca - Avonmore Star
5. Race: Start Right - Truism - Kay Gee Be
6. Race: Straight Line - Big Issue - Golden Hinde
7. Race: Anhar - Emerging Artist - Jedi