If you ignore LAW OF THE SEA's last run when he had genuine excuses, I think he is overpriced in the opener today at Goodwood. Ian Williams seems to have rejuvenated this horse since he landed back on these shores and he has finished placed in 3 competitive handicaps. He deserves to get his head in front off the back of those runs and he won't mind the ground whatever it does today.
The Golden Mile looks as competitive as ever today and history would tell you to look for a low draw but with the ground rumoured to be worse up the rail it will be interesting how this race pans out. AWAAL looks an obvious contender given his consistent form in similar races this season. He handles soft ground very well so that won't be a worry, it's just whether the weight is too much. Harry Davies takes off 3lbs today which should help and I expect him to be in the shake up come the finish. Soft ground certainly won't hinder REVICH either today. Richard Spencer's charge has ran well in this previously and appears to be in the best form of his life this season so I can see no reason why he can't go close today.
Goodwood 1.50 – Law Of The Sea
Goodwood 3.00 – Awaal / Revich
Saturday
OMNISCIENT ran a blinder in the Northumberland Plate on his return from a long absence and given plenty of time to get over that run I expect him to be going a few places better tomorrow. Sir Mark Prescott is a shrewd trainer so he would have had him fit enough for the Northumberland Plate but he shaped as if he was just a run short of peak fitness. It was still a respectable effort considering that fact but I expect him to take a big step forward from there. One at a bigger price who could outrun his odds on soft ground is TORCELLO. A capable front runner who has a preference for soft ground has ran well this season in similar conditions in similar strength handicaps so there is plenty of reasons to believe he could play a part tomorrow.
In the Stewards Cup I could back half the field if I'm honest but I'm going to have one dart at my old mate SUMMERGHAND. He won this race before and has now dropped to a workable mark so connections will be hoping to take a big race out before the season comes to a close. I liked the way he finished off his race at York last weekend and a return to Goodwood might just give him the extra spark he needs to get his head back in front. 18/1 is a big price for a horse who is so consistent usually in these big sprints.
Goodwood 2.25 – Omniscient / Torcello
Goodwood 3.35 – Summerghand
