Three Value Plays At Goodwood on Sunday

It’s hardly a libellous claim to suggest Pat Chaming’s nine-year-old is maturing with as much vigour as corked bottle of Blue Nun. 

In five starts this season Spanish Star has either bombed at the start or has raced with keenness rather more associated with a jar of English mustard. 

But when he gets on the Downs all trespasses can often be forgiven. He has, lest we forgot, won four times over course and distance – two of which in this race. 

His last victory at Goodwood, in May 2023, was also achieved off a 3lb lower mark. 

Indeed, arguably his best run this season – ‘best’ being generous to him, it should be noted – was at this track in the spring when he dwelt, hung like birch tree in a typhoon and yet still flew home once the game was up. 

Spanish Star, for all his foibles, loves a ruck in the muck so we at least know he will be at ease with the ground.  

Fascinatingly, Hollie Doyle is reunited for the first time since May 2021, when she got a relatively sweet tune out of him at Salisbury. 

If there is ever a scintilla of uncertainty about a race at Goodwood, send an SOS to Jim and Fitri Hay. 

The one-mile feature on the card has not necessarily attracted a big field, but it’s a fiendish little heat in which a case could be made for any of the runners. 

This is perhaps the reason why the Hays’ estimable pink and green silks stand out a little more than is often the case. 

The world and his wife know just what Goodwood means to Jim and Fitri which perhaps slightly emboldens chances of causing a minor upset. 

Not that Ed Walker’s inmate is without a sporting chance on his own merit. 

This is a horse, you might recall, that was sent on his way the joint-favourite for the Royal Hunt Cup by dint of a smart comeback win at Newmarket. 

Those halcyon days now feel an awful long time ago as three subsequent runs have yielded precious little. 

That said, his penultimate start over here over a mile can be stricken from the record as he was beaten just the 111 lengths after having lost his action two furlongs out. 

The proverbial green shots appeared over course and distance in August, though, as he showed a touch of his early-season zest when fifth behind the useful Godwinson. 

Crack Shot has never raced on heavy ground before, but he has gone fairly well before on an easy surface, while Tom Marquand’s first-time appointment will not see his price inflate. 

Richard Hannon’s filly has, admittedly, been about as predictable as an Elon Musk algorithm this season. 

But when it does go to plan, as evidenced by her course-and-distance success in August, the outcome can be deeply satisfying.  

Catching her on a going day is of course the tricky bit, but we know she acts at the track when the mud is flying and will be partnered by Pat Dobbs, who rides Goodwood as well as anyone on the circuit. 

This is also a far easier assignment than the one at Ascot last time, in which she finished third in a hot enough fillies’ handicap. 

Ziggy’s Phoenix remains just about on a workable mark and represents value if she is an agreeable mood.