Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Goodwood and Thirsk on Saturday. View selections below.
SKY LANTERN (3.15) can confirm her position as first lady of the classic generation by lifting the Nassau Stakes on the final day of Glorious Goodwood.
Victory would cap a memorable week for Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes, who team up with a strong Saturday team. Sky Lantern edged out Just The Judge in the 1000 Guineas and more than confirmed placings with a breathtaking last-to-first romp in the Coronation Stakes. Just The Judge was ridden aggressively from her wide draw at Ascot and is likely to get closer to Sky Lantern this time over 10 furlongs. Sky Lantern came out second-best to Elusive Kate in a controversial finish to the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket but none of the older fillies and mares she meets here is in that league. The faster the ground the better for Sky Lantern. Sir Michael Stoute saddles unbeaten Integral for the Cheveley Park Stud and she could find the necessary improvement to get competitive.
The Hannon/Hughes combo have decent prospects with PETHER’S MOON (2.40) in a red-hot 1m 4f handicap. After an unlucky run in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, Pether’s Moon was sent off a warm order at Newmarket three weeks ago but found Luca Cumani’s Havana Cooler just too strong. The pair lock horns again, along with King George V hero Elidor, who should confirm placings with third horse Bold Sniper in a cracking event.
HAWKEYETHENOON (3.50) defends his Stewards’ Cup crown, hoping to put behind him a slightly disappointing effort in the Betfair International at Ascot last weekend. The seventh furlong/very fast track seemed to find him out and this return to six is ideal, with Hawkeyethenoo again drawn on the far side, flanked by two of his principal rivals, Tropics and York Glory. Impressive 2011 winner Hoof It is an intriguing runner under top weight for Mick Easterby and Kieren Fallon.
AFTER THE GOLDRUSH (4.25) made a highly satisfactory debut for the all-conquering Hannon yard at Salisbury last Saturday, chasing home a well-regarded newcomer in Amanda Perrett’s Harwoods Venture. The step up to seven furlongs is welcomed, but not so his wide draw in stall 17. Ryan Moore will need to have his wits about him. Hughes has chosen to ride Hannon newcomer War Spirit, potentially far better berthed in stall one, but he got it wrong at Salisbury when chosing to ride the well-beaten third in After The Goldrush’s maiden.
At Thirsk, BANTAM (4.50) looks sure to go close in the 1m 4f fillies’ handicap on the back of her recent Windsor success. Bantam is a tough sort, showing grit and determination under pressure, and Ed Dunlop’s three-year-old appears on the upgrade.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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