Strap yourselves in because Glorious Goodwood is here and one of Flat racing’s flagship meetings in Britain kicks off with a cracking eight-race card on Tuesday.
Our expert, Clive Gildon, has a trio of selections on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood, including one for an intriguing running of the Vintage Stakes.
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Goodwood Day One betting tips
1.20 Goodwood – Defiance
Defiance is more talented than a mark of 99 suggests and he can collect a first big handicap in the Chesterfield Cup that opens the five-day meeting at Glorious Goodwood.The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old has endured a stop-start career, but has shown serious promise.
He did well to beat two Group horses on his debut at Sandown as a juvenile, coming from a long way back for a race which wasn’t run to suit, while he almost beat Bellum Justum in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom on his return at three.
There was plenty to like about his handicap debut back at that venue last month. Those who were ridden patiently at that meeting were at a significant disadvantage throughout the week and Defiance kept on promisingly behind more prominently ridden rivals for fourth.
This race should be run at a decent clip and he can arrive fast and late with conditions to suit.
1.55 Goodwood – Andab
There is an Aidan O’Brien hotpot in the Vintage Stakes and Dorset may take the step up in class in his stride. However, this Curragh maiden winner is one to oppose on this sharper track in a stacked field and Andab may be up to lowering his colours.
An impressive maiden winner at the Curragh on his debut, Andab ran a good race behind the highly touted Albert Einstein next time before registering an excellent fourth in the Coventry.
Stands’ side probably wasn’t the place to be in that and he gave the impression he will relish an extra furlong.
That chimes with his pedigree as he is a brother to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Andab and this looks a good fit for the son of Saxon Warrior.
3.45 Goodwood – Shagraan
We are likely to see a good few Group horses presenting themselves in the handicaps at Goodwood throughout the week and Shagraan is nearly one of those already. He can do the business in the 5f handicap.
Shagraan was an eyecatcher in the Coral Charge at Sandown this month, making up significant ground from the rear to finish third behind two higher-rated sprinters.
The four-year-old has been left on the same mark for that performance and his two previous dust-ups with American Affair and Balmoral Lady at York and Haydock this term read well.
He is a course-and-distance winner, having scored at this meeting last year in a 16-runner three-year-old handicap, and Mick Appleby’s top weight brings a touch of class to proceedings.
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