Matt Chapman: Why I’d take Frankie Dettori off Stradivarius at Goodwood

Tough crowd, Matt.

By / Horse Racing Tips / 3 years ago

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Day one of Glorious Goodwood kicks off on Tuesday, with eight races taking place at the Sussex racecourse. The feature race gets underway at 15:35, with John and Thady Gosden’s Stradivarius currently the favourite to secure an historic win.

The seven-year-old could win a fifth Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup with a victory on Tuesday. Stradivarius is unbeaten at the course and the absence of Subjectivist is also a major boost.

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Frankie Dettori will take the ride on Stradivarius, as he has done in five of his last six runs. Dettori will have to fend off Trueshan, Spanish Mission and Sir Ron Priestley at Goodwood.

However, ITV pundit Matt Chapman says he’d change jockeys for the Goodwood Cup as he’s unsure whether the Italian has faith in Stradivarius.

Speaking on the latest edition of Paddy Power’s From The Horses Mouth podcast, Chapman said: “I’d have Frankie Dettori off Stradivarius for this race. You may laugh at me for saying that but I think he’s lost faith in this horse. I don’t believe he’s a believer anymore.

“You only need to look at the form figures to know that he’s vulnerable now. Stradivarius is clearly vulnerable because he hasn’t got a string of one’s next to his name.

“It doesn’t matter what you know about the game, it’s simple to see that he’s vulnerable. However, I feel that you can make reasonable excuses for most of the flops, whether it’s the ground, the pace or being in the wrong race previously which made him tired.

“There was still a sign at Royal Ascot that he retained ability, enough to win this anyway. He should have been at least second at Ascot if he had a clear run. Goodwood is a nice track for Stradivarius. He can fill up at the top of the hill and freewheel a bit, then use that turn of foot.

“As a punter, I feel I will lump on one more time here. He’s a big price. On old ability, he should be 1/2 or 2/5 but you’re getting way above that. So I’m going to be lumping on. However, I’d still change jockeys as I don’t think Frankie rides him with confidence anymore.

“I’m a great believer in swapping jockeys frequently like they do in Australia. You can win a Group 1 in Australia but be axed for the next race. While I appreciate that jockeys get to know horses, I think they can get to know them too much. That’s my theory.”

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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