Glorious Goodwood on Thursday: Tips for Nassau Stakes day
It’s day three of this Glorious Goodwood and today’s feature race is the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes, which is supported by the Group 2 Richmond Stakes and six further high-class races.
Read on for a preview and tips for Goodwood, with horse racing odds from BOYLE Sports.
We start with a bang in the Kincsem Heritage Handicap, one of the biggest betting races of the day (13.50). The betting market looks wide open, with course winner Ciarrai Abu and the improving pair of Decade Of Time and Harmonics all at the head of the market at 5/1. Savvy Disko could enter calculations, seeking a hat-trick, and could get a place.
Next is the Group Two Richmond Stakes; a two-year-old colts and geldings’ six-furlong test (14.25). The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Flann Sunna, so far unbeaten, is the favourite at 2/1, but Eve Johnson Houghton’s Night In Vegas - a course and distance winner - may throw a question here at 4/1.
Race three is the Group Three Gordon Stakes, run over a mile and a half (15.00). Charlie Johnston’s Venetian Lace is top rated by some way but has been out of form on her latest two starts. She is entitled to bounce back, but she can’t inspire much confidence at present and is priced accordingly at 12/1. Irish raider Geryon is on an upward curve and looks promising at 4/1.
The feature race is next; the 10-furlong Group One Nassau Stakes for fillies and mares (15.35). Aidan O’Brien’s Diamond Necklace, an unbeaten filly, is the hot favourite at 8/13, having won three Group One races on the way here. She should be able to win this, no questions asked, but does go up against older horses for the very first time here today.
A five-furlong handicap follows (16.10). The Katie Scott-trained Naana’s Shadow likes undulating tracks like this and could get involved here, nicely priced at 15/2. Schrodinger’s Cat has finished close to her, though, and could be a big danger here at 7/1. Manatee Mehmas might be able to sneak into a place also with a nice each-way price of 11/1.
Race six is a seven-furlong two-year-olds’ nursery handicap (16.45). Andrew Balding’s Wise And Wonderful looks to have a good chance on ability, but is drawn wide, which may be disadvantageous. Cilician is a maiden still but, having been beaten just a head last time at Newbury, might be improving into winning form now. First time cheekpieces could help him and he is a nice each-way price at 10/1.
Second to last is the seven-furlong maiden fillies’ race (17.20). With a host of unraced fillies starting their careers here today, there are plenty of unknowns and this race could go any way. The King and Queen’s horse, La Torre, makes her debut and is priced 10/1, which may prove generous given her smart pedigree. Coolmore’s So Lovely (11/10) holds some top level entries for later this season, though, and is out of the revered 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner Love. Beguiled is also very well related and must be taken seriously at 13/2.
We conclude with a mile handicap (17.55). Exclusive Code ran well on handicap debut at Royal Ascot and may go today at 5/1, while 7/1 shot Runswick warrants thinking about too. David Menuisier’s Get Outta Here might have a quiet chance from stall two, ridden by Jamie Spencer. He has run well here before and is a nice each-way price at 9/1.
Goodwood selections - Thursday:
13.50 - Savvy Disko e/w
14.25 - Night In Vegas
15.00 - Geryon
15.35 - Diamond Necklace
16.10 - Naana’s Shadow
16.45 - Cilician e/w
17.20 - Beguiled
17.55 - Get Outta Here e/w