Dark horses on Day 2 at Glorious Goodwood....

Wednesday, 27th July 2022

Dark horses on Day 2 at Glorious Goodwood….

Secret State goes for his fourth win on the bounce and is a worthy favourite for the opener on this afternoon’s Goodwood card – the Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Handicap at 1.50….

Last time out he won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot – a race also contested by several of this afternoon’s opponents….

Charlie Appleby’s charge could be a Group horse in the making and if he is then the 7lb rise up the rating scale for his Ascot win shouldn’t inconvenience him….

• In the Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet – 1.50....

And the form of that win took a big boost earlier this month when runner-up Deauville Legend won the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket….

There’s a suspicion that the rest are running for place money this afternoon – and it would be no surprise if that turned out the be the case….

I could easily have swerved this race….

But I’m also mindful that Secret State pretty much had things his own way at Ascot – the slow pace the race was run at favouring the prominent horses and working against those further back….

And I’m mindful that one or two that were further back that day – and inconvenienced – can be backed today at decent prices….

Inverness is one – for Charlie Hills. He wants quick ground and a decent pace. He’s not had that the last couple of times but might get it today. He’s got course form and is drawn low – which will help him. At 16s he was an option….

But given how warm Inverness got last time and the time it took for Charlie Hills to settle on a rider for this afternoon’s assignment, my preference is for George Baker’s SURREY MIST at the 14s….

He was 7th of the 19 at Royal Ascot and wasn’t as far back as some early doors – but he wasn’t on the pace either and did well from midfield considering how wide he was off the home turn….

Next time at Ascot the drop back to 10f probably worked against him and he’s certainly worth another crack at today’s trip – and quicker early fractions than he got at Royal Ascot would help….

Hollie Doyle gets a first-time ride on the horse. She’s a big booking for the yard and she’s one from one for Baker this term having won a decent staying handicap for him on Cemhaan at Newmarket in May….

That was the yard’s biggest cash haul of the year – by a mile. A recoupling of trainer and jockey today doesn’t guarantee a repeat of that outcome – but I do take Doyle’s presence in the saddle as a positive….

Each-way backers take note: It’s1/5 the first 4 generally….

• In the World Pool Handicap – 5.20....

I’m also having a crack at the World Pool Handicap – the race that closes this afternoon’s card at 5.20….

It’s a C3 handicap – but 19 go to post, the race is worth £15k+ to winning connections and there’s a decent bet to be had in the shape of DANCE FEVER at 16s & 14s….

He produced some decent form in 7f handicaps around this time last year – his best performance coming at Ascot in the International Stakes over the 7f trip on quick ground….

He’s been slow to get into stride this term. But last time at Doncaster he showed signs that he’s coming back to last season’s level once again….

On a mark of 94 he’s nicely handicapped on his best form and he’s handled the Goodwood track previously….

If his last time out performance was no flash in the pan – and he can improve on it to the tune of a few pounds – then he will go closer than the prices suggest….

Each-way backers take note: Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 6. It is 1/5 the first 5 generally….

• The final word….

That’s all for today. Back next time….

Meanwhile – enjoy the racing. It’s not life and death – it’s a game we play for fun. It’s good sometimes to remind ourselves of that fact….

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd