Taking aim at the Goodwood Festival - Day 3....

Wednesday, 30th July 2025

Taking aim at the Goodwood Festival - Day 3….

Day 2 selections here….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in all the big handicaps on Day 3 at Goodwood….

I’m on HYMNBOOK in the 1.20 – up at 20s & 18s….

…. and I’m on DAN TUCKER at 14s & 12s 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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As you’d probably expect in a big field of 3yo handicappers….

…. there’s no shortage of lightly raced and progressive animals going to post in the Kincsem (1.20)….

The relatively obvious ones have been found and feature prominently in the early betting….

…. but a ‘live’ one that’s pretty much escaped market focus is HYMNBOOK trained by Sean Woods….

Perhaps he’s so big in the betting because of his little-known and unfashionable connections….

…. whatever – he’s worth a punt at the general 20s & 18s….

In a novice event at Wetherby in April he was the only one in the field to make a race of it with Arabian Force – now rated 103 and highly-tried – and was only beaten a short head….

…. next time at Nottingham he won his maiden – beating two subsequent winners….

…. and last time at Ascot – on handicap debut over a mile – he was narrowly beaten by a horse winning his fourth race in six goes and progressive at the trip….

Hymnbook got a little outpaced when push came to shove….

…. but he was doing all his best work at the death and looked very much like tomorrow’s step-up in trip will see him to better effect still….

Robert Havlin rode him that last time and I wonder how much input he’s had in this horse turning out at Goodwood for this….

In my book Havlin is an underestimated practitioner around two bends at Goodwood – and he’s a big advantage to the horse tomorrow….

The C3 Buccellati Handicap (3.45) is televised on ITV….

…. and I want to back DAN TUCKER at 14s & 12s – given how he won at Pontefract a fortnight back….

There will be those of you who don’t like the pick because he’s up 4lb for the win and minus the 5lb claimer who rode him to victory….

…. and – whilst I get that thinking – I’m not too bothered about it….

Regular rider Jack Garritty was at Pontefract on the night but couldn’t do the weight….

…. and if you’re going to use a spare rider then use one like Warren Fentiman – who is pretty good and takes off 5lb that covers your latest hike in the ratings and the fact that you’re a pound out of the handicap….

Garritty is back onboard tomorrow – a strong suggestion that trainer Jedd O’Keefe doesn’t believe his charge is at the end of his rope on a revised mark of 88….

…. and who can argue with that assessment given the manner of Dan Tucker’s win in West Yorkshire….

He fairly powered clear when he got the gap and saw daylight inside the final furlong – and he won going away….

…. comfortably beating off a course and distance winner who looked pretty well handicapped himself on several performances at the track….

I can’t accept the view that there isn’t more to come from Dan Tucker. It was only his second go at the minimum trip….

…. both goes producing personal bests on the RPR scale….

…. and he had plenty in hand that last night as far as I could see….

On top of that – I note that Garritty makes the trip south for just the one ride – at his lowest riding weight for the last 12 months….

…. and I think there’s a feeling at home that Dan Tucker can run into the money – for connections and for punters….

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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 4 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