Fitzy thinks it could be Godolphin's Goodwood on the opening day of the festival
Come on you boys in blue!
Tuesday is the start of a seriously good week of racing for armchair fans – but it comes with a serious health warning.
Goodwood is one of those tracks that can leave you balder than Wayne Rooney’s natural look as you can get so many hard luck stories punters are left tearing their hair out. I will try to avoid backing too many hold up horses as when the ground is quick and they go slow around this unique track you’ll be left frustrated riding for luck.
The opening race (2.00pm) is a tough puzzle to solve but I think Second Wave () brings arguably the best form to this race. The Godolphin four-year-old was only half a length behind Sir Isaac Newton in a Listed race at Ascot and he should come close. Balmoral Castle () is an interesting each-way punt for trainer Jonathan Portman.
The Vintage Stakes at 2.35pm could also go to a Godolphin owned horse as Boynton () won tidily at Newmarket, beating War Decree in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes. He should have the beating of the favourite War Decree () once again at a track Boynton already has winning form at.
Dutch Connection () hasn’t really had his ideal conditions for a while but this could be his chance to carry on a great day for the boys in blue in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at 3.10pm. On good to firm ground and back down to seven furlongs, it’s all set up for the course and distance winner. Hugo Palmer’s Gifted Master () is one to be with for a small each-way punt as you can put a line through his run last time out as the ground was against him.
The Summer Stakes (3.45pm) has Roger Varian’s King Bolete () as favourite and it’s hard to argue with the traders this time around. He’s the most likely winner but Gold Prince () has a good each-way chance, and the mount of Frankie Dettori is blinkered for the first time. Three times since the start of May he’s finished second at a price of 16/1 or bigger, and he can give each-way punters another good spin to finish off the action on Channel 4.
It could be a glorious end to the opening day at Goodwood!