Today’s TV races guide
A horse that finished last of 27 on its latest start is not, on the face of it, an obvious contender for one of the Flat season’s most valuable and competitive handicaps, but there are several more positive reasons to believe that Shanghai Glory (3.35) will give trainer Charlie Hills his second win in the Stewards’ Cup in three years this afternoon at Goodwood.
The four-year-old could not beat a single opponent in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot last time, but that was his first run of the season and the ground was much faster than ideal. His previous start, when he was successful in a Listed race at The Curragh last October, reads much better in the context of today’s race as there was cut in the ground and the time was very solid for the grade.
As ever in this race, few if any of the runners can be ruled out with confidence, but Shanghai Glory has also ended up in what could be a very handy low-numbered stall and his current price of around 25-1 looks generous.
Goodwood (1.50): The low numbers usually have an edge over six furlongs here and Gin In The Inn is interesting from stall four with Ryan Moore booked to ride by Richard Fahey. The ground was soft when he finished a good second at Pontefract last Sunday and a repeat of that under similar conditions today would take him very close.
Newmarket (2.05): A market which bears more resemblance to the Stewards’ Cup than a typical 12-furlong Listed event, but Ebbesbourne is progressing with every race, went close at this level last time out and could improve again for the step up from 10 furlongs. The better ground should also be in her favour after she was scratched from a race at Goodwood earlier in the week.
Goodwood (2.25): Saigon City is not getting any better at the age of seven, but is lightly raced overall and produced his best form yet when staying on strongly to win a Class Two handicap on soft going at Newmarket last time out. He may be vulnerable to an improver but is a big price at around 10-1 if he remains in the same form.
Newmarket (2.40): First Drive stayed on with real purpose to get off the mark at Nottingham last time out and should find more for the step up to seven furlongs here. An opening handicap mark of 76 looks fair.
Goodwood (3.00): It will be a big tip for Mount Moriah if Getback In Paris, who was four lengths behind him at Ascot last time, runs well in the 2.25, but on the face of it, Ralph Beckett’s runner has something to find stepping up from handicaps. He may prove up to the task, but Crystal Ocean, touted as a possible Derby horse in some quarters earlier in the season and placed in Group Two company on his last two outings, has less to prove.
Greg Wood’s tips
Doncaster: 2.10 Great White Shark 2.45 Amazing Michele 3.20 Tribal Conquest 3.55 Mr Lupton 4.30 Storm Rock 5.05 Seyash 5.35 Granny Roz.
Goodwood: 1.50 Gin In The Inn 2.25 Saigon City 3.00 Crystal Ocean (nb) 3.35 Shanghai Glory (nap) 4.10 Bathsheba Bay 4.45 Aventinus 5.20 Born To Be Alive.
Hamilton: 6.00 Star Of Zaam 6.30 Equitation 7.00 Hee Haw 7.30 Glenrowan Rose 8.00 Mistiness 8.30 Devil’s Guard 9.00 Heatongard.
Lingfield: 5.15 Masarzain 5.45 Astute Boy 6.15 Loving Your Work 6.45 Littlelordconford 7.15 Jazeel 7.45 Storm Melody 8.15 Sweet Pursuit.
Newmarket: 2.05 Ebbesbourne 2.40 First Drive 3.15 Dathanna 3.50 Esprit De Corps 4.25 Love Dreams 5.00 C’Est No Mour 5.30 Lamloom.
Thirsk: 2.15 Flere Imsaho 2.50 Pioneering 3.25 King’s Coinage 4.00 Chiefofchiefs 4.35 Bertiewhittle 5.10 Island Of Life 5.40 The Armed Man.
(all times BST)
