ENOUGH rain has fallen at Goodwood over the last 48 hours to remove the word firm from the going description and it remains to be seen how much more will fall this morning and whether the word soft will make an appearance.
If the forecasts are to be believed then the weather should clear up quickly with a dry week ahead, but they dont always get things right.
Anyone who was at the Sussex track 12 months ago is probably still drying out as the amount of rain forecast was chronically underestimated.
The best of the conditions came on the opening day where Breton Rock caused a 50/1 shock in the Qatar Lennox Stakes (3.00pm) and David Simcocks charge is back to defend his crown this afternoon.
Hes only been seen once this season, back on Derby Day at the start of June, and certainly wont mind any rain that falls.
The market is headed by Roger Teals three-year-old Tip Two Win who followed his brilliant second place to Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas with a fourth in the St Jamess Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He looked to be crying out for this drop back to seven furlongs and sneaks in here with his 7lb weight-for-age allowance.
At 4/1 with Coral he is bound to have plenty of supporters and there is an argument that hed be half his current price if trained by Aidan OBrien or John Gosden.
However, this is his first trip to Goodwood and Id prefer to take him on at the current prices.
Sir Dancealot ran a cracker to be fourth in the July Cup at Newmarket last time and will be well suited by this step up in trip.
Hes a best-priced 11/2 with Coral and surely wont be far away.
However, Im going to take a chance on last years third, SUEDOIS, who is back for more having run his best race of the season to date two weeks ago when third to Beat The Bank at Ascot.
He was unlucky not to win this prize 12 months ago when denied a clear passage and was only just pipped by Breton Rock.
A Grade One winner in the US last year, I was taken with the way that he travelled at Ascot last time and a fast run seven furlongs with a bit of cover will surely suit.
At 13/2 with Paddy Power he looks worthy of each-way support in what looks a fascinating contest.
Champion Jockey Silvestre de Sousa was at his brilliant best aboard Mark Johnstons two-year-old Victory Command at Ascot on Saturday and he is on board another for the Goodwood specialist in the Vintage Stakes (2.25pm).
The unbeaten DARK VISION wears the same colours as stablemate Victory Command and appears to be progressing at a similar rate of knots.
A comfortable win over six furlongs at Yarmouth on his debut earlier this month was followed by a commanding performance at York a few weeks ago when he quickened clear in the closing stages in the style of a smart horse.
The step up to seven furlongs looks ideal and even though Martyn Meades Confiding is well respected, he looks worthy of each-way support at 6/1 for a stable trying to land the prize for a fourth time.
POINTERS
Dark Vision e/w 2.25pm Goodwood
Suedois e/w 3.00pm Goodwood
ENOUGH rain has fallen at Goodwood over the last 48 hours to remove the word firm from the going description and it remains to be seen how much more will fall this morning and whether the word soft will make an appearance.
If the forecasts are to be believed then the weather should clear up quickly with a dry week ahead, but they dont always get things right.
Anyone who was at the Sussex track 12 months ago is probably still drying out as the amount of rain forecast was chronically underestimated.
The best of the conditions came on the opening day where Breton Rock caused a 50/1 shock in the Qatar Lennox Stakes (3.00pm) and David Simcocks charge is back to defend his crown this afternoon.
Hes only been seen once this season, back on Derby Day at the start of June, and certainly wont mind any rain that falls.
The market is headed by Roger Teals three-year-old Tip Two Win who followed his brilliant second place to Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas with a fourth in the St Jamess Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He looked to be crying out for this drop back to seven furlongs and sneaks in here with his 7lb weight-for-age allowance.
At 4/1 with Coral he is bound to have plenty of supporters and there is an argument that hed be half his current price if trained by Aidan OBrien or John Gosden.
However, this is his first trip to Goodwood and Id prefer to take him on at the current prices.
Sir Dancealot ran a cracker to be fourth in the July Cup at Newmarket last time and will be well suited by this step up in trip.
Hes a best-priced 11/2 with Coral and surely wont be far away.
However, Im going to take a chance on last years third, SUEDOIS, who is back for more having run his best race of the season to date two weeks ago when third to Beat The Bank at Ascot.
He was unlucky not to win this prize 12 months ago when denied a clear passage and was only just pipped by Breton Rock.
A Grade One winner in the US last year, I was taken with the way that he travelled at Ascot last time and a fast run seven furlongs with a bit of cover will surely suit.
At 13/2 with Paddy Power he looks worthy of each-way support in what looks a fascinating contest.
Champion Jockey Silvestre de Sousa was at his brilliant best aboard Mark Johnstons two-year-old Victory Command at Ascot on Saturday and he is on board another for the Goodwood specialist in the Vintage Stakes (2.25pm).
The unbeaten DARK VISION wears the same colours as stablemate Victory Command and appears to be progressing at a similar rate of knots.
A comfortable win over six furlongs at Yarmouth on his debut earlier this month was followed by a commanding performance at York a few weeks ago when he quickened clear in the closing stages in the style of a smart horse.
The step up to seven furlongs looks ideal and even though Martyn Meades Confiding is well respected, he looks worthy of each-way support at 6/1 for a stable trying to land the prize for a fourth time.
POINTERS
Dark Vision e/w 2.25pm Goodwood
Suedois e/w 3.00pm Goodwood
