Red Avenger (tipped at 25-1) more than covered our expenses for Glorious Goodwood this week with a thrilling victory in the Betfred Mile. I must admit that I thought his chance had gone after a tardy start and he was poorly placed turning for home. All credit to Jimmy Fortune who somehow managed to get his head in front where it mattered.
As if the Mile wasn’t hard enough, we are now faced with the annual cavalry charge otherwise known as the Stewards’ Cup. Oddly enough, most of the recent winners of this race have been quite well fancied and I have two names for this year’s race.
Muthmir looked like a potential Group horse when winning at York last week. Admittedly this is a big question to ask of such an inexperienced horse just a week later but I am more concerned by his low draw. Dane O’Neill will just have to hope that there is enough pace on his side of the track, although several of the most fancied runners are drawn high.
Among them is Richard Fahey’s Alben Star. He was desperately unlucky in the Paddy Power Scurry last time out, having to be switched around horses before running on into fourth place. He will surely gain his revenge on Discussiontofollow on 7lbs better terms and will break from stall 19.
There are some very promising three-year-olds in the mile and a half handicap at 2.40. All of the early money has been for Kings Fete who holds a St Leger entry for Sir Michael Stoute. He is definitely a leading contender but I am just slightly concerned by the fact that he has been declared to run in a hood for the first time. He is also worse off at the weights with Second Step who beat him at Newbury on his debut.
I am reluctant to pass over the Cumani horse who won well last time at the same venue but the fast ground is a concern. I am just leaning towards the Mark Johnston runner, Rainbow Rock, after his fine run earlier in the week. He came from a long way back in the straight and was going on at the finish. With any other stable you would be worried about such a quick reappearance but this is second nature for the Johnston horses.
Rainbow Rock 2.40 Goodwood @9-2 William Hill
Muthmir 3.50 Goodwood @11-2 BetVictor
Alben Star 3.50 Goodwood @9-1 BetBright
Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4
