Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Glorious Goodwood Day 5 Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Goodwood 1.50 – Summer Handicap
Aeronautic (11/2) ran well on return last time at Ascot and was arguably a little bit unlucky, in not the clearest of runs. But he stayed on well, proving himself at this distance.
He’s been drawn in stall five, tends to travel quite well and I just think that there’s probably more to come – especially at this distance.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien has had a pretty phenomenal season and when his horses are sent over they’ve won plenty of respect.
Megan’s Tip: Aeronautic WIN
Goodwood 2.25 – Glorious Stakes
William Haggas has a pretty strong hand in the Glorious Stakes as he looks to win this for the third time with Al Aasy (15/8 fav) – but I think I’m going to take him on with this other runner Opportunity (5/2).
The younger contender here is up in grade and lightly raced but they’ve always thought he was a stakes horse.
A winner of his last two starts in handicaps, Opportunity is ready for this step up now. He was impressive at the Royal Meeting, too, and a quick improver.
Al Aasy will be a very late challenger and he’ll try to sprint past Opportunity – but if Opportunity can get first run he might be hard to catch.
Megan’s Tip: Opportunity WIN
Goodwood 3.00 – Lillie Langtry Stakes
I’m sticking with last year’s winner Waardah (15/8 fav), who ran nicely behind Estrange up at Carlisle on her return and this will have been the long-term plan, no doubt.
Obviously that form got a boost with Estrange going on to win a Group 1 the next time.
The course and distance – and her form – at Goodwood is no harm as she’s proven to stay. The key is getting her settled early. Hopefully that run at Carlisle will have got any freshness out of her.
If she can relax, she should be the one to beat.
She seems pretty versatile when it comes to ground conditions, seeing this race out well last year – so there’s no reason not to expect further improvement this season as an older and stronger filly.
Megan’s Tip: Waardah WIN
Goodwood 3.35 – Stewards’ Cup (Win Tip)
My winning selection here is going to be Sondad (11/1) with Joanna Mason and for trainers Michael and David Easterby.
He’s a horse that was progressive through big fields in competitive Class 2 handicaps last season and has carried that form into this year, with a career-best last time over in Ireland in a similar type of event.
He goes on any ground and seems pretty track-versatile as well.
Last year’s winner came from a high draw and he’s drawn 21, so that doesn’t put you off. He’s just a sprinter going places.
He carries a six-pound penalty for that win over in Ireland – but he was going to be going up in the future anyway so that doesn’t put me off.
He’s a horse in really good form and is going in the right direction. He’s improving and there could be more to come.
The fact that he won last time and Joanna knows him well, she’ll ride him with confidence and that could be an added bonus.
Megan’s Tip: Sondad WIN
Goodwood 3.35 – Stewards’ Cup (Each-Way Tips)
It’s a big field so I’m going to put up two each-way selections here.
Ferrous (18/1) is there for Jack Channon with Callum Rodriguez on board. He rode him last time at Hamilton when he was narrowly beaten but ran with a lot of credit. That was behind Strike Red, who was actually second in this race last year.
Ferrous is no doubt a better horse on the all-weather; his rating suggests that and he’s only three pounds different, so not much.
His tough efforts have been positive and he’s actually a winner at Goodwood previously in his career so track form is there.
He’s quite a big price and is a pretty consistent horse and could well be one for the placings.
My other each-way selection is West Acre (28/1).
He’s got blinkers on for the first time after being quite a livewire beforehand but George Scott and the team have done a pretty good job of getting him to behave better.
He often gets ponied down to the start so he’s got a bit of company just to try to keep him nice and relaxed. He’ll go down late or last if possible.
When he was a three-year-old he was a big improver and I got to see him over in Meydan a few times. He impressed me, putting up some really good performances in races where they went really fast and he finished well.
Five or six furlongs was fine and another year on his back means that the six as a distance is one that he definitely sees out.
The strong pace here will suit, and he’s a massive price at 28/1, but he's a horse not short on talent and if the headgear can reignite that flame, he could well be one for a place as well.
Megan’s Tip: Ferrous E/W & West Acre E/W
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
