Quiet Weekend

All relatively quiet on the NH front this weekend after the exhilarations of Festival week at Cheltenham. Newbury offers little on the punting front but interested to see how Saludos fares in a competitive Chase at Navan (5pm). 


Irish trained runners were in fine fettle recently and one wonders how fit will the Aidan O'Brien contingent be at Meydan following the recent good weather. Interesting to see Coolmore participating and curious to see Jamie Spencer on board Cape Blanco, who on his best form looks the top horse in the main race. While the cards look good, the form and well being is hard to assess, so will be restricted to a watching role.


cheers....

Glorious Goodwood

Glorious Goodwood starts today but still puzzled by events at Ascot on Saturday. Have liked Harbinger since the season started but could not foresee him improving that much to put in such a high level performance (not the only person either as he was available at 5s just prior to the off -in fact Youmzain strangely seemed to be better supported) and it was also difficult to see Workforce running so poorly. Perhaps logical explanations will surface in time but despite his ostensibly brilliant performance, I would not be supporting him at short odds for the Arc (particularly on softish going). It's worth noting that second place Cape Blanco did not stay and was under pressure a long way out.

Of all the summer festivals, Goodwood (we won't mention Galway) is possibly the most difficult to find winners but nevertheless, it always manages to engage. Today's fare looks as competitive as ever and while I will be rooting for Dandino, best bet could be Lord Shanakill in the Betfair Cup. Henry Cecil found him a nice confidence booster last time and 7 furlongs may well prove to be his forte.

good luck...