Andy Stephens, Dave Nevison, Page Fuller, Gavin Beech and Harry Allwood shares their strongest fancies for day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Enjoy every race live on Racing TV.
1.50 Goodwood: Enfjaar
Tipster: Harry Allwood.
General odds: 100-30.
After winning his first two starts, this four-year-old was on the verge of becoming a disappointment last year following three below-par runs, including when sent off a fancied contender for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on his third outing.
However, it was probably his exertions there which counted again him as his handler, Roger Varian, believes a race of that nature on fast ground came too soon for him, and he was unable to show his true colours thereafter.
A 229-day break plus a gelding operation clearly worked the oracle, though, as he returned with a smooth victory at Newcastle off a rating of 94 prior to winning the John Smith’s Cup under a 5lb penalty.
He had a good draw there and gained the perfect position on the rail with some cover early on, but the way he travelled into the race suggests he was well ahead of his mark. He didn’t appear to do an awful lot once in front, either.
Given how strong that race looked on paper beforehand, a 6lb rise since looks lenient, and although there are a few decent handicappers weighted to go close here, none possess as much potential as Enfjaar.
His draw could have been kinder, but the past three winners of this race have been drawn higher than stall 13, and I don’t think it will be an inconvenience if he settles in mid-division based upon the way he cruised into contention last time.
Faster ground would pose a question mark as he disappointed on his only start on good to firm, but his full sister, Sweet Enough, won on firm ground, and if connections believe the conditions are too quick, I’m sure they would opt to bypass Goodwood.
He rates as the nap of the day on Tuesday.
2.25 Goodwood: The Parthenon
Tipster: Page Fuller.
Best odds: 4-1.
It was disappointing not to see him at Newmarket earlier this month, but I believe The Parthenon will be worth the wait.
Aidan O’Brien has minded this youngster and I find it hard to see why his patience won’t be rewarded. He may have been beaten first time out over six furlongs, but his win over seven furlongs next time suggests he was far better than that.
He showed considerable speed when winning at Gowran Park, clocking a Top Speed of 41.64mph. This was the highest Top Speed recorded by any runner in their previous races.
However, it is his stride length that has caught my eye. His peak stride length of 8.11m at Gowran was also the longest recorded by the field in previous runs, and his average stride frequency of 2.21 stride per second was the lowest.
This means that he was able to go through the race very efficiently and would back up why the step up to 7f brought out so much improvement. No different to humans, the faster you stride, the more energy you use. He was able to travel through the race using very little energy, and then quicken using his stride, so it was no surprise he saw the trip out so well.
I expect that improvement to continue here.
3.00 Goodwood: Noble Dynasty
Tipster: Andy Stephens.
Best odds: 100-30.
Kinross is seeking to win the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes for a third time and, but for an unlucky defeat in 2022, he would be in pursuit of a fourth triumph.
His course form is there for all to see but he surrendered tamely in the July Cup last time when worryingly easy to back. It may be the seven-year-old has lost some of his powers.
By contrast, English Oak arrives very much on the up and will be popular after his latest emphatic win at Royal Ascot. However, it’s hard to forget that Noble Dynasty gave him 15lb and a two-length beating in a handicap at Newmarket less than three months ago.
They now meet on level terms and Noble Dynasty has not exactly stood still in the interim himself, subsequently landing the Group Three Criterion Stakes back at Newmarket.
The one niggle I have is that Noble Dynasty fluffed his lines at Goodwood a couple of years ago, when he hung to his right, but I’m not convinced that was track related. If he can reproduce his best form, he will take some stopping.
3.35 Goodwood: Kyprios
Tipster: Gavin Beech.
Best odds: 8-15.
This revolves around the outstanding Kyprios and a second Goodwood Cup success looks very much on the cards. Gregory has a bit to prove right now so the Coltrane and Sweet William look most likely to be scrapping it out for second.
4.10 Goodwood: Fair Wind
Tipster: Dave Nevison.
Best odds: 7-2.
might be a 'good thing', in my opinion, to win this race off just a 4lb higher mark than last time at Ascot where he still managed to score, despite getting obstructed twice in the second half of the race.
He ended up winning comfortably by just half a length from Albasheer, who won at Ascot on Saturday, so the form looks very strong.
Pat Dobbs is two from two aboard Fair Wind this season and clearly gets on very well with the Owen Burrows-trained four-year-old, and he will enjoy the guaranteed fast pace here.
The selection is still lightly-raced for a sprint handicapper of his age, too, and looks as though he still has plenty of upside compared to his rivals.
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