Lennox Stakes: Aljamaaheer Given Goodwood Option

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Nick Shiambouros' Patented 80/20 Bet: Goodwood, 15:45

80/20 / Nick Shiambouros / 30 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Can Nick crown five a Glorious few days with a Saturday afternoon winner?

Today's 80/20 is Crown Choice in the 15.45 at Goodwood. This gelding finished fifth to Brae Hill at HQ earlier this month. He kept on strongly inside the final furlong and was not beaten all that far. He will be suited by the furious early pace today and should be putting in his best work in the closing stages. I think he could run well at a big price. At present he is trading at [22.0] on the exchange

Nick will be trying to crack this 80/20 business once again by picking a horse running at Goodwood this afternoon....

Can Nick's selection miraculously beat the field at Goodwood today?...

Nick talks us through the reasoning of his glorious selection for today....

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Goodwood Placepot: Saturday July 30

Daily Placepots / Mark Powell-Bevan / 30 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Crystal Capella is the sole selection in the Nassau

"it is Crystal Capella who could prove key to the race, as while today’s circumstances are very different to those she faced when dotting up at Newmarket last time (had Redwood 8 lengths back in second), she’s never been short of speed..."

With the Stewards' and the consolation to negotiate among today's Goodwood placepot this could easily go very wrong, but the 'pot' is going to dwarf any of the others and it's a case of 'you've got to be in it to win it', so here goes...

14:05 - The consolation race for those who didn't make the Stewards' Cup is no easier to solve than the main event itself, but Thunderball seems an obvious starting point having looked much improved dropped to 6f for the first time since his debut when winning at Pontefract last time, for which he has just a 3-lb penalty. Golden Desert ran well at the meeting earlier in the week and is also worth keeping on side among those drawn high, whilst towards the other side it could be worth chancing that Kevin Ryan can work his magic with the well-handicapped Courageous, who just hasn't fired as expected for Dandy Nicholls. Klynch also earns a place in the line-up for the good work he's done thus far this year, his latest run easily excused.

14:35 - It's not getting any easier, but in Harlestone Times we have a strong one to go to war with in this handicap, as while his run when favourite in the Northumberland Plate was tame, stamina could well have been the issue and his previous form is strong, including a win at Goodwood. The race is competitive, however, so it's worth insurance in the shape of Sharaayeen, who shaped much better than the bare result in trying to come from a hopeless position in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last time.

15:10 - The defection of Misty For Me takes away from what looked a stellar Nassau, but it is still a classy race and it's hard to make a decision on whom to include. The front three in the market all have plenty going for them, Midday of course going for a hat-trick of Nassau wins, but it is Crystal Capella who could prove key to the race, as while today's circumstances are very different to those she faced when dotting up at Newmarket last time (had Redwood 8 lengths back in second), she's never been short of speed and strikes as a typical Stoute filly that keeps on progressing.

15:45 - We're not in a position to learn anything about the draw from race one so far as the placepot goes, so it has to be a case of spreading the selections out again. Mac's Power, from the Fanshawe stable which has been having it right off with its sprinters this year, is a must, and joining him from the low draws is the back-to-form Secret Asset, who won (over 5f) at the meeting earlier in the week. Hoof It is the obvious one among the high numbers, but he had a hard race at York a week ago, so instead go for Wokingham third Pastoral Player and another one drawn high in Colonel Mak, who looks to be recovering the form that saw him win the Ayr Silver Cup last autumn.

16:20 - Sports Section and Mickdaam stand out on what they achieved on debut in the same maiden at Newmarket, one that has been won in recent years by the likes of Rio de La Plata, Elusive Pimpernel and Native Khan, but it's sensible to take only one from that form line (Sports Section, who has an excellent pedigree and shaped as well as any in finishing second) and look elsewhere for a back-up. Nawaar is the one to turn to, as he shaped with plenty of promise when third on his Ascot debut and is sure to have improved for that experience.

16:55 - A tricky nursery to end, but Amis Reunis looks to have got in lightly despite having won twice (in good times) already and is taken as a banker to see us home. She accounted for a speedy sort at Bath last time in spite of keeping to 5f if anything, so 6f should be in her favour and her market strength that day was notable, too.

Selections
14:05 - 2, 10, 12, 20
14:35 - 4, 11
15:10 - 1
15:45 - 6, 12, 15, 24
16:20 - 11, 15
16:55 - 12
= 64 lines

We head to Goodwood again for another crack at the Placepot, with Joe Szekeres' selections including no fewer than four runners from the Richard Hannon stable......

With a punting record at Goodwood similar to that of Newcastle United's success in the Premier League, Timeform's Paul Robson is leaving his Panama in the cupboard and has chosen Nottingham to crack the Placepot....

The placepot at Glorious Goodwood includes the Sussex Stakes and two difficult looking handicaps but Timeform's Joe Szekeres believes he has found the horses to provide a solution......

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Follow The Money: Sporting chance at Glorious Goodwood?

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 30 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Blue sky, sunshine and great racing...

"At Goodwood for the negative of the day in the 16:20, the horse is Sports Section has drifted from [2.9] out to [3.5]."

This afternoon's Follow The Money movers come from Goodwood and Newmarket...

We start in the first at Goodwood at 14:05 and the horse in question is Dubai Media who has been backed from [30.0] in to [19.5]. Ed Dunlop's four-year-old won twice last year, the first of them being around this time of year. Since then she has not quite had her best conditions and a fast run race, over 6 furlongs and on drying ground could be ideal for her today. She is one of the most lightly raced in the field so still might still have some improvement to come.

Over to Newmarket we go for the 15:55 which has seen a positive move for Luca Cumani's Bourne, having been backed from [3.95] into [3.45] The five-year-old and been largely consistent since his three maiden runs. Last time the gelding was a good second to the old boy Halicarnassus, that day though it looked like he didn't stay that well and today will be far more happier over the 1 mile 2 furlong trip. It's also worth noting that all three of his wins have been over this trip. The Luca Cumani stable have had two winners in the last three days including yesterday's Goodwood winner Drunken Sailor, everything point to a big run today.

Lastly we are back at Goodwood for the negative of the day in the 16:20, the horse is Sports Section who has drifted from [2.9] out to [3.5]. On his only start he was second at Newmarket over today's seven furlongs. It was a good run that day, the worry though would be the form could look suspect in that race. The favourite that day was well beaten and the first eight or nine home that day finished quite bunched up. Today's drying ground today could be a worry along with the fact today he takes on some very promising types.

Recommended Bets
Back Dubai Media @ [19.5], Goodwood 14:05
Back Bourne @ [3.45], Newmarket 15:55
Lay Sports Section @ [3.5], Goodwood 16:20

In Follow The Money's usual offering, two backs and one lay are as ever, the order of the day....

Today's Follow The Money comes from Stratford and Goodwood....

The Follow the Money team serve up a Sussex Stakes special and provide a couple of other promising bets......

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Goodwood

Going Report / Editor / 30 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

First Race Time: 14:05
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
Other Information: A light shower overnight, fine and dry today.

First Race Time: 13:55 Going: Good, Good to Firm in places Other Information: Dry overnight...

First Race Time: 14:10 Going: Good to Firm Other Information: Dry overnight and a fine day forecast...

First Race Time: 14:20 Going: Good to firm Other Information: Dry overnight. Sunny spells today, 21ºC....

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Goodwood Placepot: Wednesday July 27

Daily Placepots / Joe Szekeres / 27 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Frankel is one of the afternoon's three selected bankers - He goes in the 15:10

"Frankel’s victory in the 2000 Guineas ranks as one of the greatest turf performances in living memory and, if he can produce anything near that level, then the rest are playing for second place..."

The placepot at Glorious Goodwood includes the Sussex Stakes and two difficult looking handicaps but Timeform's Joe Szekeres believes he has found the horses to provide a solution...

14:00 - A 19-runner staying handicap looks a difficult place to begin on an exciting afternoon's racing at Glorious Goodwood, but a few may have crept under the handicapper's radar. It pays to respect national hunt trainers in these contests, and Liberate can deliver a late birthday present for Philip Hobbs in the opener after a long absence from flat racing having posted a career-best over fences on his penultimate start. Another fitting a similar profile is the Tim Vaughan-trained Spirit of Adjisa who secured a Grade 1 (novices) victory over timber last time out. These two selections hold good chances this afternoon and should see us through.

14:35 - Last year's winning trainer Richard Hannon dominates the Vintage, fielding four of the seven runners. His best chance is arguably with Chandlery, but he was beaten last time out by our first banker of the afternoon, Red Duke. John Quinn's colt comes into the race under a 3lb penalty but looks progressive enough to overcome the extra weight and confirm superiority over Chandlery, having looked value for a bigger margin win last time.

15:10 - Frankel takes on Canford Cliffs to decide who is the champion miler in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes and the preference lies very much with the three-year-old who is today's second banker. Frankel's victory in the 2000 Guineas ranks as one of the greatest turf performances in living memory and, if he can produce anything near that level, then the rest are playing for second place, including Canford Cliffs who is a top-class miler in his own right but one who will do incredibly well to defeat Frankel conceding 8 lb.

15:45 - Another tricky-looking handicap faces punters in leg four, but the lightly-raced Halifax can put his fifth in the Queen's Vase behind him dropping back down in trip, spared a hard ride by Richard Hughes at Ascot that day as it was clear he was running out of steam. Kieren Fallon is booked this afternoon and Halifax should go close. It would be folly to include just one selection in such a competitive handicap, and another which takes the eye is Four Nations, a winner on his seasonal reappearance over 10f at Goodwood before stepping up to today's trip and finishing second and then fifth. Four Nations came from a long way back on his latest start and, hopefully ridden slightly more positively today, should run well under up-and-coming claimer Kieran O'Neil who takes 3lb off.

16:20 - Diamond Finesse is the third and final banker of the afternoon, having put up a very solid performance on debut, challenging strongly late on against a more experienced rival to lose by a narrow margin. Two winners have emerged from that particular race and Diamond Finesse can make it a third for the Ed Dunlop yard, who rarely have their two-year-olds in peak physical condition first time out.

16:55 - The final race of today's Placepot card is arguably the trickiest leg of all, with the market suggesting that this may be one of the most open contests of the entire meeting, which is why the line-saving tactics were employed earlier. It seems obvious to start with the Timeform top-rated, Common Touch, who was impressive at York on good ground on his penultimate start before disappointing on a seemingly unsuitable soft surface at Royal Ascot. Another who should put up a good show is Zenella. Although she ran below her best when finishing sixth on her seasonal reappearance at Chester earlier this month, this lightly-raced filly should come on for the run and will be thereabouts if showing more like last year's form, which included a listed win. The final selection in the last leg is Golden Desert, one that has slipped down to his lowest handicap mark for almost two years, predominantly due to the fact that he has been racing in the most competitive of handicaps including the Wokingham and the Victoria Cup.

Selections:
14:00 - 9, 10
14:35 - 1
15:10 - 4
15:45 - 3, 12
16:20 - 2
16:55 - 4, 14, 15
= 12 lines

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The never-ending Galway Festival got underway last night and now it's the turn of Goodwood to kick off their Glorious week......

Field sizes at Ayr at today look perfect to land the Placepot with just a few lines, and Timeform's Adam Brookes believes he's found the horses to do the job ......

Today's placepot comes from Pontefract....

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Nick Shiambouros' Patented 80/20 Bet: Goodwood, 16:55

80/20 / Editor / 27 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Nick talks us through the reasoning of his glorious selection for today.

Today's 80/20 is Webbow in the 16.55 at Goodwood.

This gelding finished a decent second to Reel Buddy Star at Doncaster earlier this month.He ran on strongly in the closing stages but could not get to grips with the game winner. He comes in to this race in excellent form and could run well at a big price. At present he is trading at [10.0] on the exchange.

Nick heads to Goodwood on day one to follow the fortunes of a promising 80/20......

Nick's quest for 80/20 profit takes us to Yarmouth today but who is today's chosen one?...

Who is carrying Nick's 80/20 money today, we hear you cry......

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Afternoon Market Movers: Goodwood update

Market Movers / Editor / 27 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

The latest movers from Glorious Goodwood as the Sussex Stakes approaches...

Goodwood

14:00
My Arch 16.5 into 14.0

14:35
Rockinante 5.4 out to 7.2

15:10
Frankel 1.85 into 1.72
Canford Cliffs 2.36 out to 2.68
Rio De La Plata 85.0 into 48.0

15:45
Four Nations 11.0 into 7.4
Sadlers Risk 8.5 out to 10.5

16:20
My Queenie 5.2 out to 10.0

16:55
Shamandar 14.0 into 8.4
Shavansky 9.4 out to 14.5
Decent Fella 11.0 into 8.25

17:30
Totheendoftheearth 11.5 into 7.8
Blessed Biata 7.0 out to 10.5

This afternoon's market movers from Goodwood, Perth and Redcar......

This evening's market movers from the UK and Ireland......

This afternoon's market movers from Beverley and Goodwood......

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Goodwood

Daily Racing Info / Editor / 27 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Racecourse Goodwood
First Race Time 2.00pm
Going Good
Other Information Dry overnight and dry forecast for today.

Racecourse Perth First Race Time 2.20pm Going Good to Firm Other Information Selective watering of the home straight overnight. Dry day forecast....

Racecourse Redcar First Race Time 1.40pm Going Good to Firm (watered) Other Information Dry overnight and a dry forecast for today....

Racecourse Leicester First Race Time 6.10pm Going Good to Firm (watered) Other Information Dry overnight and a dry forecast for today. Going Stick 8.1....

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Betting Briefing: Goodwood and Galway in Glorious double header

Timeform Features / Timeform / 23 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Frankel bids to maintain his unbeaten run taking on the older horses in this week's Sussex Stakes.

"Arguably the race of the season takes place at Goodwood on Wednesday as Frankel takes on Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes to confirm status as Europe's greatest miler..."

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which features not one but two Festival meetings, namely Galway and Glorious Goodwood...

Sunday July 24
There are a trio of flat meetings set to take place on Sunday, with racing coming from Ascot, Carlisle and Pontefract. The highlight of the afternoon is the Pomfret Stakes, a listed contest taking place at Pontefract over a mile in which Roger Charlton's Cityscape is 8 lb clear of his rivals.

Monday July 25
Ayr and Yarmouth are the venues for the flat racing in the afternoon and Windsor hosts an evening meeting. There is also national hunt racing available during the evening at Uttoxeter whilst the Galway Festival kicks off in Ireland with a seven race mixed-card.

Tuesday July 26
Glorious Goodwood gets underway, with the opening day highlight being the Lennox Stakes, where Richard Fahey's Wootton Bassett could attempt to get back on track. Goodwood is accompanied in the afternoon by flat racing from Beverley. The evening meetings switch focus to national hunt, with cards at both Perth and Worcester. The Galway Festival continues with another seven-race mixed-card in Ireland.

Wednesday July 27
The race we've all been waiting for, with Frankel taking on Canford Cliffs for the first time in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. There is also a minor flat card from Redcar and a national hunt card from Perth during an exciting afternoon. There is further action on the level Wednesday evening with racing from Leicester and Sandown. The highlight of an eight race mixed-card in Ireland is the Galway Plate which see's Edward O' Grady's The Real Article attempt to win this handicap seemingly 18lb 'well in'.

Thursday July 28
Racing continues at Goodwood on Thursday, with the historic Goodwood Cup, in which Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Opinion Poll could attempt to go one better, being the main highlight. There is also flat racing from Nottingham in the afternoon and evening meetings at Epsom and Ffos Las. The one national hunt meeting takes place at Stratford for a six race afternoon card. The Galway Hurdle is the pick of the Irish racing on another eight race mixed-card.

Friday July 29
The Richmond Stakes and the ultra-competitive totesport Mile Handicap are the pick of the afternoon's racing from Goodwood whilst there is also a further flat card from Thirsk. Evening flat racing consists of Bath, Musselburgh and Newmarket. There is once again only one national hunt card with afternoon action coming from Bangor. On the other side of the Irish Sea, racing continues at the Galway Festival.

Saturday July 30
Just flat racing to look forward to on Saturday as Glorious Goodwood draws to a close. The highlight there is unquestionably the Nassau Stakes as Midday attempts to become the first horse to land the hat-trick in this race. Alternative afternoon racing comes from Doncaster, Thirsk and Newmarket while Hamilton and Lingfield play host to evening meetings. Over in Ireland it is also the penultimate day of the Galway Festival which features a seven race mixed-card.

Download a Free Race Card every day in July at timeform.com. Click HERE to register or see the menu.

The week-long Galway Festival, which kicks off on Monday, is the summer highlight of the Irish racing calendar, featuring a marathon mix of Flat and jumps action. Timeform look over the highlights......

Our blogger Simion Rowlands gives you his pick6 selections for the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks meeting at Saratoga on Saturday night......

Timeform run the rule over the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes......

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Sussex Stakes Betting: Follow Frankel over Cliffs at Goodwood

Tipping / Keith Melrose / 19 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Frankel storms to the 2000 Guineas in April

"It’ll be a long time before we see another win in a British classic as impressive as Frankel’s demolition job in the 2000 Guineas back in April."

You'd be forgiven for thinking that there's only one race taking place at Goodwood next week such has been the build-up to the Sussex Stakes. Timeform's Keith Melrose puts forward his view.

This Flat season has already provided some of the most mouth-watering clashes in recent memory, so it's pretty remarkable to note that we're yet to see the most hotly-anticipated of them all. The meeting of Frankel and Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27 will decide who this season's champion miler, if not the leading racehorse of the year, will be.

The analogy with boxing in these big-race duels has already been made by Jamie Lynch in far better terms than I could ever muster, though it is worth pointing out that, unlike so many recent heavyweight encounters between human prize-fighters, both Frankel and Canford Cliffs have beaten credible opposition to reach this championship bout.

By now Canford Cliffs should need no introduction. After taking us by surprise somewhat in making up into the best 3-y-o miler of 2010, Richard Hannon's stable star did at the first time of asking what his predecessor Paco Boy failed to in four attempts, namely take the scalp of French wondermare Goldikova when they met in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. That day Canford Cliffs gave what is becoming a trademark performance from him, his potent turn of foot from over a furlong out proving decisive as he held off the charging Goldikova by a length. He does of course arrive in this race as defending champion, too, having accounted for Rip Van Winkle on his first run against his elders last July.

However, it'll be a long time before we see another win in a British classic as impressive as Frankel's demolition job in the 2000 Guineas back in April and on that form he's the one to beat. Sir Henry Cecil's colt is a potential all-time great in the making, and if spread-eagling an up-to-scratch classic field isn't enough to at least make you consider that possibility, then we wouldn't agree on much. Tom Queally clearly thought he was sitting on something rather special given the aggressive tactics employed on Frankel's next start in the St James' Palace Stakes, when he sent his mount for home far too far out and held off Zoffany by only a fast-diminishing three-quarters of a length.

Predictably, the cynics were out in force after that run, but the fact remains that no other horse in training could have won that particular race under such a demanding ride. The Sussex was always a natural next step for Frankel, and it offers the added bonus of affording him a short break after a couple of hard races. How own generation is probably nothing outstanding overall, but so far ahead of the pack is Frankel that his first shot against the older horses really should hold no fears.

It seems harsh to say that any horse 'is no Frankel', but Canford Cliffs, top-class and admirable though he is, is no Frankel. Assuming Queally doesn't suffer another rush of blood to the head, we see no reason why next Wednesday will prove anything other than a corontaion for a once-in-a-generation miler. What's more, at the time of writing you can back Frankel at odds against. Expect black armbands and red bank balances in this corner of West Yorkshire if the horse we've championed since last autumn loses his unbeaten record on Wednesday.

Recommendation

Back Frankel @ [2.08] in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood

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The International Handicap, the first leg of the Betfair Summer Double, looks as competitive as ever. Timeform's Stephen Molyneux has a look at some of the leading candidates, and reckons there are three to keep on side......

Three win selections for this evening's meeting at Ballinrobe......

Timeform run the rule over this sprint handicap......

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