Paul Jacobs: King looks majestic value at 16/1 for a Super Saturday

When I think of Glorious Goodwood there is only one race that comes to mind and that is the 6f Cavalry charge, the Stewards’ Cup.

I was filled with awe as a teenager watching a mass of horses cantering down to the start and then on the way back the thunder of hooves up the home stretch. Nowadays of course we get two for the price of one with the consolation event set to kick off Saturday’s card at    1.50pm and if fast ground prevails then KING ROBERT could get us off to a dream start.

The Royal Applause gelding was rated as high as 90 some 18 months ago, but gets in off a falling mark of 77, with William Carver’s ultra-valuable 5lbs claim the cream on the proverbial punting cake.

And as if that wasn’t reason enough to support this fairly lightly raced six-year-old (only 22 starts on turf) there was plenty of promise to be taken from his last run at Chester on fast ground – when he finished an eye-catching fourth behind Canford Bay.

The selection has yet to race on this unique downland track, but most of his best form has come on sharp, fast terrain.

With his ability to stay further I can see him flying through under his promising jockey.

The feature betting event comes at 3.40pm in the Stewards Cup and I know that Gunmetal has been aimed at this race all season, But he has already been found in the market, a remark that also applies to Paddy’s market leader on Friday Khaadem, who was second in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury last month.

So, if like me you like to back a ‘price’ in these treacherous events – then SUMMERGHAND may well interest you.

David O’Meara’s charge has run outstandingly well on all his four starts this season, hinting that he is ready to win off his current mark, his best run being a second of 15 behind Flavius Titus on his seasonal debut at Newmarket.

Earlier on the card, BARTHOLOMEU DIAS looked set to hose up in the Northumberland Plate last month at Newcastle when he cruised into the lead a quarter of a mile out. However, his stamina gave out 100 yards from the line and he did well to hang onto fourth spot.

Still on the improve, the four-year-old should be in his element in the 1m 6f handicap at 2.25pm and make the most of the weight he is set to receive from both Proschema and What A Welcome.

Over in Ireland, Willie Mullins has four of the 20 entries in the feature Galway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle at 2.30pm – headed by Connacht Hotel Handicap hero Great White Shark. The son of Le Havre remains hugely unexposed over hurdles.

However, at the respective prices, stable mate ECLAT DES MOTTES looks the value call. The Poliglote gelding pulled way too hard on his comeback at Killarney last month and is a massive work in progress who runs off a feather-weight here.

The drop down to 7f should suit JUSTINA in the nursery at 4.10pm, while I am really sweet on the claims of MATER MATUTA in the 1m 4f handicap at 5.20pm. Jim Bolger’s charge looked to be crying out for a stiffer test of stamina when landing his maiden at Ballinrobe over just shy of 10f last month – and could be well ahead of his mark of 73.

Away from the Festivals – take a second look at the Ian Williams’ trained CONSEQUENCES in the 2.10pm at Chelmsford. He has fallen to a really attractive mark in this Class 4 event and I suspect will come in for plenty of support off his lowest-ever rating of 75 in this 6f race.

*Prices correct at time of publishing