Taking aim at the Goodwood Festival - Day 1....

Monday, 28th July 2025

Taking aim at the Goodwood Festival - Day 1….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in all the big handicaps on Day 1 at Goodwood….

I’m on MASOUN in the 1.20 – he’s up at 12s….

…. and I’m on ROSARIO at 22s & 20s in the 3.45….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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We don’t have to wait long for the first handicap of the Qatar Goodwood Festival….

…. the Chesterfield Cup (1.20) is the first race on the Day 1 card – with a big field going to post over the 10f trip….

The one that catches my eye at the prices is MASOUN for the in-form Jospeh O’Brien at the general 12s….

…. he’s won his last two without being full extended and – whilst he runs off a career high mark of 99 – I think there’s more to come….

The intention was to run him in a handicap at Royal Ascot – but he didn’t get in….

…. and that might prove to be a blessing – because he wants the 10f trip and would have been forced to compromise over 8f or 12f at Ascot in June….

As it was he went and won the Ladies Derby at the Curragh under 7lb claimer Elizabeth Gale – always doing enough and looking like there was more in the tank if required….

He’s not the biggest but he showed a bit of grit to get through horses from a position further back than ideal that day….

…. and there’s no doubt he can handle the hustle and bustle of a big field – a handy attribute to possess at Goodwood where things can get testy….

He handles a right-hander, he can do it from up front or further back and – like I say – there’s more to come yet….

I’m never frightened of taking a flier and that’s what I’m doing in the Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap (3.45)….

…. because I reckon Roger Teal’s ROSARIO is well overpriced at the general 22s & 20s….

A cursory scan of his recent form would tell you he’s gone at the game – but the fact is he’s had no luck at all in any of his last three goes….

Don’t ask me how he does it – but he lost front and rear shoes at Newbury….

…. before losing both his front shoes at Windsor….

Last time at Ascot his young rider couldn’t get his blindfold off, and he was very slow away as a result….

He did show a bit though – but was always up against it running into a wall of horses….

…. and his finishing position doesn’t accurately describe his racing demeanour that day….

He’s down to 93 now – a pound lower than when winning over course and distance on good ground in May….

…. and if he can keep his shoes on tomorrow I reckon he’s a lot more dangerous a proposition than his price suggests….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with picks for Day 2 at Goodwood….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd