Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Glorious Goodwood Day 4 Tips
FRIDAY RACING TIPS
Goodwood 1.50 – Goodwood Handicap
Believitanducan (9/2), is an improving stayer for trainer Alan King who won nicely in the Northumberland Vase under William Buick; rising to the occasion once again.
This horse has got really light weight and will be receiving plenty off the favourite, Valiancy (4/1 fav).
He’s also pretty much guaranteed to stay despite going into unknown territory at two and a half miles – but I don’t think it’s any harm coming from a jumps yard and this horse will have been trained with plenty of stamina put into him throughout his campaigns.
I think he is improving and quite an attractive pick at the weight.
There are obviously no stalls for this start either although the jockeys are supposed to, roughly, line up in stall order with Believitanducan in stall 16.
If they’re sharp, William will break and get away to a nice start in a great position.
Megan’s Tip: Believitanducan WIN
Goodwood 2.25 – Thoroughbred Stakes
Talk Of New York (8/13 fav) is a short price but I’ve always thought that this horse was high class.
He performed very well in the St James’s Palace – he was so keen but still managed to run into the placings and wasn’t beaten that far.
He’s not too dissimilar to Opera Ballo and should be a Group 1 winner down the line as he is as talented as that, but it’s all just about getting him to learn to race properly and trying to get him to relax.
William Buick knows him well and I think Goodwood could suit – as the twists and turns of a track like this tend to break a keen horse’s stride a little bit, stopping them from getting away from the rider.
He’s a horse to keep on side regardless of what happens here.
Megan’s Tip: Talk Of New York WIN
Goodwood 3.00 – Golden Mile (Heritage Handicap)
I’m going with a horse that has done me well this season in Beagle Bay (4/1 fav).
His form from Sandown last time worked out really well, with runner-up Raammee going out to win the Heritage Handicap at York.
This horse has stuck to the mile and he has got enough speed, and cruising speed, for it. He’s also in the inside draw so he’ll have to be relatively positive out to get a nice position and not get shuffled too far back. He should be able to hold it nicely.
My each-way selection here is Bunyola Bay (9/1).
He is running in a handicap for the first time and was impressive with a couple of winning starts before going right up in grade and distance in the Irish Derby – a combination that was probably too much at the time.
So back down in grade and distance here which is a positive and with Ryan Moore on board.
Being drawn 11 in the Golden Mile is nice as it gives you options, so I think there is plenty to like including the fact Ryan is on board, that’s an eye-catching jockey booking. He looks overpriced.
Megan’s Tip: Beagle Bay WIN & Bunyola Bay E/W
Goodwood 3.35 – King George Stakes
I’m saying Rumstar (4/1), who’s a really likeable sprinter and looked pretty good at Sandown last time.
Obviously it’s a different type of track but he seems pretty track-versatile.
He’s in good form and this is a really open sprint where I wouldn’t be surprised to see some pretty big prices coming into the frame.
If I was going to be put up a big price, I’d be putting up Jm Jungle (9/1) as my each-way selection as John & Sean Quinn typically do well at this meeting and they’ve won various races over the last few seasons.
Jm Jungle is another solid type of horse who could be one of the pacesetters for those drawn a bit higher.
Rumstar has been drawn on the other side – so an option each side for me here but Jm Jungle is the type that could well sneak into the places down the hill at Goodwood if he gets a roll on.
Megan’s Tip: Rumstar WIN & Jm Jungle E/W
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
