Get ready for the inevitable hard-luck stories today at Goodwood, a track where jockeys seem to get in each other's way more than any in the country. The classy Ryan Moore is leading rider at the Sussex course, however, and from a good stalls position in the opening race he can do the business on McConnell (2.15). This colt was having his first run for Ryan's father, Gary Moore, when finishing midfield in a Salisbury handicap at the start of the month. He will be sharper this time and has the potential to improve for his new trainer.
Ryan Moore goes on to Sandown in the evening. He will need to be at his strongest on Criterion (6.30), who looks a hard ride, but with the step up to 1m6f sure to suit Sir Michael Stoute's three-year-old, this handicap looks his for the taking.
It may seem odd to anticipate improvement from an eight-year-old handicapper, but at Ayr today Oeuf A La Neige (4.55) will be having just his second outing since Linda Perratt joined forces with ian Semple at Carluke. The gelding shaped promisingly at Hamilton and is handicapped to win a race of this nature.
2.30pm Live racing but, er, not from Ayr
Tony Paley with live updates this afternoon
Cox's pippin: McConnell lands a punt
Ron's tip lands a bit of a touch in the opener at Goodwood, backed down from 15-2 to 9-2. Great start there but not at Ayr where racing has surprisingly been abandoned. A disgruntled crowd are filing out of the course at Scottish track -- there's no official announcement for the reason yet but from pictures on Racing UK there were obvious concerns from the jockeys at what looked a patch of false ground in the straight.
3.00pm Follow the leader
City Leader bounces back from a disappointment in the Craven Stakes with victory in the big race at Goodwood. I am convinced he would have won with more in hand if he had been sent on earlier and has outclassed this field. Trainer Brian Meehan says he has not decided if the winner goes for the Derby but if you fancy him you can get generous odds about him winning at Epsom.
Hoofnote: Chris Cook, our man at Goodwood today, has had a word with City Leader's connections and Epsom is not thought to be on the agenda. Jockey Jamie Spencer advocates the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
4.05pm Michita is far too speedy for opponents
Oaks quotes of as low as 10-1 are bandied about for Michita after her smooth success in the Listed fillies' race at Goodwood. She won with plenty in hand here but did get the run of the race, making her run up the favoured middle of the track while the Guardian's tip, Annie Skates, got no sort of run on the rail.
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