A low draw is virtually a must in the Golden Mile handicap at Goodwood given the results in the last few years and I'm inclined to almost ignore any horses drawn high as it will take some serious effort from the saddle to defy such a strong bias. David O'Meara has a strong hand and I am waiting for YOUNG FIRE to pop up in one of these races soon. He would prefer softer ground than what he gets here today but he does have form on quick ground and his ability to travel strongly should put him in a position to strike late on. At 33/1 he looks good each way value.
It doesn't look a vintage King George in comparison to previous years and I think ACKLAM EXPRESS could be the only horse who can make the step up to Group 1 company as his King Stand suggests. That wasn't his only good run in top company and it proved he has recaptured his best form after a couple of quiet runs. If he produced that performance again I think he wins this.
Goodwood 3.00 – Young Fire
Goodwood 3.35 – Acklam Express
Saturday
The Stewards Cup is often a hard race to pick apart. 2020 winner SUMMERGHAND looks to be somewhere near back to his best after a good run at Royal Ascot and I'd say connections would have him spot on as he bids to regain his crown. He is a very classy horse on his day and he's officially 8lb lower than when he took this in 2020. He looks a solid bet at 14/1.
Another horse who I have been keeping an eye on this year is MAKANAH and this easy 6f could really suit this horse. He like the first selection finds himself between a rock and a hard place in terms of ratings but on his best form he has the necessary class to win a race of this nature. Again at 25/1 I'm willing to take a chance.
I'm not sure AJERO is crying out for the step back down to 1m 2f after such a promising run at Royal Ascot over 1m 4f but I find it impossible not to back him at 7/1. His novice form looks incredibly strong now looking back at it and a bump of 2lb from his Ascot 2nd is very lenient. I expect Jim Crowley to make plenty of use of him from a handy draw and if able to stick the pace I think he has a huge chance here.
Up at Thirsk I think everything may finally drop right for my cliff horse WOVEN. Always staying on over 6f or not quite getting a stiff 7f he has proved a frustrating horse to follow. But 7f at Thirsk might just be what he's looking for especially on quick ground. I expect there to be plenty of pace on here and if he can keep tabs early on then he should be doing some good late work which should at least return us some profit if we back him each way at 14/1.
Goodwood 3.20 – Summerghand/ Makanah
Goodwood 4.30 – Ajero
Thirsk 4.55 – Woven
