We’re back on the Downs this Friday and on paper it looks like an exciting card with plenty of potential among the runners. All the big names are booked to ride, and we’ve selected three top picks to get your weekend off to a flyer.
Secret Army (1.35, Goodwood Racecourse Patrons Handicap) 9/1
William Buick picks up the ride on SECRET ARMY, teaming up again with David Menusier who he has had plenty of success with in the past – including at this track.
Secret Army comes here off the back of a very solid 3rd at Chelmsford and looks the type to do much better going handicapping this year. Last time out he was beaten by Mountbatten in 2nd who showcased the form by winning on his next start cosily.
He’ll be ridden close to the pace here and avoid hard luck stories in running – so often the downfall at Goodwood – and rates a solid each way option.
Sea Silk Road (2.10, Height Of Fashion Stakes) 11/4
It’s the Height of Fashion stakes, and one who catches the eye is stylishly-bred SEA SILK ROAD. He’s a son of, you guessed it, Sea The Stars who appears to be passing some of his superlative talent onto his progeny.
Tom Marquand has a strong book of rides at Goodwoon on Friday.
Raced once last season at Kempton, he couldn’t have been much more impressive on seasonal debut with a 5 1/2 length victory against some stoutly-bred opposition. There’s bags more improvement to come and this extra distance seems like just thing to unlock that potential. We think he’ll take all the beating here.
Half-brother My Astra hacked up in the same colours in the feature at Ayr on Wednesday, and we can see a similar scenario for the in-form Haggas/Marquand combo. Haggas boasts an impressive 21% win rate with his runners at Goodwood, adding even more confidence to the selection.
Goshen (4.30, Sussex Roof Garden Bar Handicap) 13/8
Call us reckless, call us mad, but the enigma that is GOSHEN looks to have this race at his mercy. At the current price at time of writing he’s 6/4 and looks rock solid.
Goshen goes back to the flat on Friday
On his day Goshen has proved to be the classiest of 2 mile hurdlers, and you can upgrade that even further going on a right-handed track. On paper he’s much the best here and if running to anything like his Grade 1 Kingwell Hurdle form he shouldn’t come off the bridle. Yes there are obviously risks attached, but Goodwood should be right up his street, and the trip and ground will be to his liking. He’s also 3/7 on the flat so that shouldn’t be an issue, with one of those defeats on heavy going.
His opposition look fairly modest, his closes rivals in the market Mellow Magic and Saratoga Gold are both solid but there’s a big question mark on the pair going this far.
Time will tell, but Goshen could be the good thing on Friday.