Stewards Cup Day

Professional tipster Ben Merritt gives his thoughts on today's racing...

3.35 Goodwood SONDAD 12/1

Just 2 weeks ago, probably feels longer, right?, SONDAD was the first leg of a 1300/1 trixie for us, winning well at the Curragh under an excellent Jo Mason ride. Now, Goodwood and the Curragh couldn't be more different tracks, but he's 2 from 2 on downhill courses (Epsom) so there's no reason why he shouldn't handle this track. I said last time out that this lad is borderline group class and he might have to be to win this, but he's clearly thriving and obviously showing up well enough at home for connections to roll the dice once more. There hasn't been any real bias this week, but the majority of sprint races have been won by higher draws, so that should be fine as there is plenty of pace/fancied horses drawn high too. A quick turnaround has been no barrier to success in the past either so I have little issue with him backing up here. He'll need luck, and we're due plenty, but he shouldn't be far away.

5.20 Goodwood BLUE COURVOIRSIER 11/2

BLUE COURVOISIER won the Silver Bowl, run this year over a stiff mile at Carlisle. like a horse who was miles ahead of his mark. Still as green as grass that day, he hit the front a long way out and wondered all over the place before finding stacks as the closers got to his hind quarters, powering away by 2 lengths. He went to Royal Ascot the next day and, whilst only able to finish 18th of 30, he was simply drawn on the wrong side of the track and actually finished a close 4th on his side. That form was franked when the 3rd on his side, Exclusive Code, landed an almighty gamble in the last race at Goodwood on Thursday too. Again, he wandered when hitting the front that day and looked to be tying up, but as horses came upsides him he found again and saw the race out strongly. Based on those runs, and his pedigree, this 9f trip will be perfect and, on what he's shown, a 1lb drop for that run is very generous too. Saffie Osborne, who won on him at Carlisle, is riding once more and has a brilliant record when teaming up with Clive, who also has his horses in rude health. The way this will be run, should suit him perfectly too.

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