Last Minute Lisa (tipped at 4-1) saved our bacon at Goodwood on Tuesday after a touch of “seconditis”. An odds-on winner and a non-runner left us all square on the day so we are still in funds going on to Lingfield’s Wednesday card.
The meeting is split between the all-weather and the turf and the pick of the action is the mile and a quarter handicap at 5.05. Paddy Power are offering a generous 5-1 about Shama’s Crown (although I am not sure how long that will last).
She is trained by Jeremy Noseda and ran a great race first time out when chasing up Luca Cumani’s Pleasant Valley. The winner went on to win impressively at Doncaster off a mark of 78 which suggests that Shama’s Crown is something to bet on off a rating of 81. She duly obliged on her second start over an inadequate mile with Ryan Moore bringing her down the centre of the track to win going away.
With Moore claimed for Alex Vino, Kieren Fallon gets to do the steering on this likeable filly and 5-1 looks an each-way steal.
There are two other runners that I like on the card, both two-year-olds. Charming Thought has to be the selection in the opening maiden race in the blue of Godolphin. He ran a fine race on his debut when chasing home Flash Fire. The winner was narrowly beaten in a decent little nursery at Goodwood on Tuesday but Charming Thought looks the sort to improve a few pounds.
He holds an entry in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury later this month so anything less than a win here would be disappointing. Her Majesty The Queen’s Kinematic was probably flattered by her proximity to Ivawood at Sandown but will probably be the biggest threat with the Balding stable in such fine form.
My final selection is Majestic Manner in the maiden at 3.30, trained by William Haggas. Her dam was Majestic Roi who won the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes in her time. Majestic Manner stayed on well at Windsor first time out under a considerate ride from Ryan Moore and will relish the extra furlong she gets on Wednesday.
There are a whole host of well-bred newcomers up against her including two from Sir Michael Stoute’s stable and one from John Gosden’s yard. Providing that there is nothing exceptional among them, Majestic Manner can get off the mark.
Charming Thought 2.0
Majestic Manner 3.30 at 14-5 Betfair
Shama’s Crown 5.05 at 5-1 Paddy Power