Trawlerman can overhaul Scandinavia for Goodwood gold
GLORIOUS Goodwood is here and racing fans can look forward to five days of top-class action from the picturesque Sussex Downs.
Without doubt the headline acts on today’s opening card are Scandinavia and TRAWLERMAN, who clash again in the Group One Goodwood Cup (3.35pm) after their epic battle in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
On that occasion it was the younger horse, Scandinavia, who managed to reel in the front-running Trawlerman, getting the verdict by a head in a thrilling finish.
Another titanic battle is in store and while Scandinavia could still be improving, the value in the market lies with the older contender.
John and Thady Gosden’s staying star retains all his class as an eight-year-old and there are reasons to suggest he could put up an improved effort at Goodwood.
It was well documented that he had an interrupted preparation for Ascot, with the development of a rare eye condition forcing him to wear ski-goggle-like headgear during exercise, meaning that he missed a prep run before the Gold Cup.
Running race-fit Scandinavia so close on his return from nearly 250 days off the track was a monumental effort and if he comes on from that, he has sound claims of reversing the form.
Trawlerman has also won at Goodwood in the past, and the downhill nature of the home straight might just make it harder for Scandinavia to get to him this time, so the old warrior is the play for me in the World Pool Win market.
The global pools are the sponsors of the Group Two HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00pm), where the value lies with MARVELMAN.
After a big-race treble last Saturday, including the Group One King George, Andrew Balding has his team in red-hot form.
Marvelman returned this season with an excellent effort when second in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle and that should have left him spot on for this assignment.
It’s worth noting that he didn’t hit top form until early autumn last year, when landing the Park Stakes at Doncaster, which suggests that he should be about to return to his best.
Last year’s runner-up Lake Forest could prove tough to beat, while Qirat – the Sussex Stakes winner from 12 months ago – is unbeaten at Goodwood, but I think Marvelman is peaking at the right time for this and he is the play Win and Place with World Pool.
The curtain rises on Glorious Goodwood with the typically competitive Chesterfield Cup Handicap (1.50pm).
Punters tend to ignore horses drawn wide at Goodwood, but the stats don’t affirm that in this contest, with four of the last five winners coming from double-figure draws.
That dispels fears about stall 17 for Irish raider DIEGO EL QUESO, who caught the eye running on late at Leopardstown last time out.
A winner the time before that over this trip, Ger Lyons’ four-year-old looks to have more to offer and is worth supporting in the Win and Place markets.
If we haven’t struck gold earlier on the card, I think GOLD DIGGER can scoop the pot in the closing World Pool Bet With The tote EBF Fillies’ Handicap (5.55pm).
Richard Spencer’s filly was well punted for a five-furlong handicap at Royal Ascot on the back of winning over six at Windsor the time before, but couldn’t justify that support.
She found a Sandown Group Three too hot on her last start, but that again came over the minimum trip.
Now stepping back up to six furlongs and with cheekpieces added, she can leave her last two efforts well behind.
POINTERS GLORIOUS GOODWOOD
Diego El Queso (Win and Place) 1.50pm
Marvelman (Win and Place) 3.00pm
Trawlerman (Win) 3.35pm
Gold Digger (Win and Place) 5.55pm