Taking aim at the Goodwood Festival - Day 5....

Friday, 1st August 2025

Taking aim at the Goodwood Festival - Day 5….

Day 4 selections here….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in all the big handicaps on Day 5 at Goodwood….

I’m on CIRCE in the 3.05 – up at 10s ….

…. I’m on MASTER BUILDER at 10s in the 1.55….

…. and I’m on THE FINGAL RAVEN at 33s & 28s 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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Following yesterday’s rain – some 37mm – the track is already drying up again at Goodwood….

…. and the going right now is soft (good/soft in places)….

Situated on the chalk South downs, Goodwood drains very quickly….

…. and – with no or very little rain forecast today and tomorrow – we could be back at a reading of good for Saturday’s racing….

…. just something to be aware of….

The Stewards’ Cup (3.05) is the week’s feature handicap….

…. 28 go to post….

…. and if it isn’t a lottery in the strictest sense of the word….

…. it certainly has an element of that character about it….

I want to be on something progressive….

…. and I want to be on something drawn high – because that’s the best place to be (IMHO)….

After much deliberation I’m backing CIRCE at the general 10s….

She’s improved for being stepped back to the 6f trip this term….

…. progressing for each run with the exception of Epsom – where she might well have got tired in the later stages on account of outright soft ground….

I think she remains progressive at the trip….

….. she’s a strong traveller who could well relish the challenge presented by tomorrow’s race….

…. Ryan Moore partners – a sure sign that there’s at least some positive expectation in the Hannon yard about the horse….

…. and – like I say – in stall 23 I reckon she’s on the right part of the track for a big run….

…. given that 19 of the horses to make the first six in the last five renewals were drawn in stall 17 or higher….

MASTER BUILDER at the general 10s makes appeal for the Summer Handicap (1.55)….

He looked like a really progressive horse when winning a big 3yo race at Haydock last September….

…. coming from last to first, powering away from the rest to win with plenty in hand, and backing up his third place in the Melrose at York a fortnight earlier….

Two defeats in the later stages of the season might lead you to the argument that the handicapper had got to the horse with a 7lb rise to 95 – but I’m not buying that….

I doubt he liked the soft ground he encountered at York in October or Doncaster in November – and by the time he contested the Doncaster race he might well have been over the top….

He resumed at Epsom in April – where he ran well – but then he flopped at Goodwood in May over tomorrow’s trip….

He’s not been seen in the ten weeks since and I wonder if he’s had a little niggle….

…. but – whatever – I’d expect him to be right for a race that’s likely been targeted by his local trainer….

…. and I stick to the belief that there’s more to come – as promised by that Haydock run….

Kieran Shoemark – whose ridden more horses for Menuisier than any other rider over the last decade – was originally slated to ride….

…. but he’s been replaced overnight by track specialist William Buick – who won on him in that Haydock race and also at Epsom on his first go this term….

Perhaps Menuisier didn’t realise Buick – they have a strike rate of 17.5% in combination – had no ride in tomorrow’s race….

Whatever – he’s moved swiftly to get the best man for the job….

I’m having a proper swing of the bat in the Whispering Angel (3.45) and backing the rag THE FINGAL RAVEN at the 33s and 28s….

…. simply because I think he’s better than that price….

He went to Royal Ascot without the benefit of a run because Jamie Osborne had wanted to protect his mark of 91….

…. and that lack of fitness showed on the day in the Britannia….

Last time in a 0-90 handicap at Sandown he hit the frame at a big price….

…. less than a length in arrears to Mudbir who is five times shorter in the betting tomorrow….

The Fingal Raven is still rated 91 and – whilst I acknowledge that he must overcome stall 16 – I just think he’s better than his price….

He stays a mile – so if he does have to use up a little petrol early doors in exchange for position then it isn’t the end of the world….

…. and if he can take another step forward – then he’s going to be there or thereabouts….

I just don’t get the price – so I’ve got to have it (if you know what I mean)….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

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

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd