Good Ground, Great Racing at Goodwood
Well now, there's nothing quite like a Wednesday afternoon at Goodwood to get the blood pumping, and today's eight-race card is a proper feast for the jumps enthusiast. The going is reading Good to Good to Soft in places, which is music to my ears - proper jumping ground that'll separate the wheat from the chaff without being a slog.
With soil moisture at a sensible 48%, we're looking at conditions that'll favour the genuine stayers and those with a bit of class about them. None of this deep winter mud that turns races into lottery draws - today we'll see real racing on Goodwood racecard.
The Silver Trophy: Where Legends Are Made
The feature race is undoubtedly the 2:40 Unibet Silver Trophy, a Grade 2 limited handicap worth £80,000 that's attracted a field of eleven seasoned campaigners. This is where the day's serious money changes hands, and by God, what a contest we have in store.
Leading the charge is Tommy's Oscar, an eleven-year-old warrior carrying top weight of 144. Don't let the age fool you - this lad from Ann Hamilton's yard has been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. His course and distance record might not leap off the page, but Danny McMenamin knows him like the back of his hand.
The one that has me really interested though is Outlaw Peter for Paul Nicholls. This ten-year-old has both course and distance form in his favour, and Harry Cobden rarely gets these big handicaps wrong. Rated 140, he's got the class to win this, and Nicholls has been in cracking form of late.
Riskintheground for the Skelton team is another with solid credentials. The nine-year-old has distance form and Harry Skelton aboard - that combination has been money in the bank this season. At 136, he's well handicapped if producing his best.
Mares Take Centre Stage
The 2:05 Listed Mares' Novices' Hurdle is worth £45,000 and features some classy fillies who'll be looking to make their mark. White Noise heads the market for Kim Bailey, and rightly so - she's a six-year-old rated 138 with Tom Bellamy doing the steering.
But here's where it gets interesting - Torpille Dagrostis rocks up from Gordon Elliott's yard with Sean Bowen aboard. Now, Elliott doesn't send them across the water for the good of their health, and this six-year-old mare has been knocking on the door. At 125, she could be the value in what looks a competitive heat.
Don't sleep on Livingonaprayer either. Jamie Snowden's five-year-old has Gavin Sheehan in the saddle and distance form to boot. Sometimes the ones with the cheeky names run cheeky races.
Handicap Hurdles: Where Punters Make Their Money
The 3:15 handicap hurdle over two and a half miles looks a right puzzle, but Royal Infantry catches the eye. Dan Skelton's seven-year-old is rated 139 and has course form - that's a combination that's hard to ignore on this ground.
La Pinsonniere represents the Henderson team with Nico de Boinville aboard. When Seven Barrows sends one to Goodwood, you sit up and take notice. This six-year-old could be anything.
The marathon 3:00 hurdle is all about stamina, and Red Risk has it in spades. This eleven-year-old battler for Paul Nicholls has distance form and knows how to get his head in front when it matters. At 142, he's obviously well thought of.
The Supporting Cast
The opening novices' hurdle at 1:30 is down to just four runners after Non Runner struck with Intosomethinggood. Le Beau Madrik for Dan Skelton looks the pick here - a five-year-old rated 125 with Harry Skelton aboard.
The closing Pony Racing Authority graduates race is a bit of fun, but Count of Vendome has solid form figures and could provide the perfect way to end the day in profit.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
OUTLAW PETER in the Silver Trophy is my banker of the day. Course and distance winner, top jockey, and Paul Nicholls in form - what more do you want? He's the one to beat in the feature.
TORPILLE DAGROSTIS in the mares' race could be the value play of the afternoon. Elliott raiders often surprise at a price, and this one has been running well without winning.
ROYAL INFANTRY in the 3:15 handicap hurdle looks overpriced. Course winner with the champion jockey aboard - sometimes it really is that simple.
The ground is perfect, the fields are competitive, and there's proper prize money on offer. Get yourself down to Goodwood or find a good spot at the bar - this is what Wednesday afternoons were made for. Sláinte!
