Timefigure preview: Glorious Goodwood Part 1

Day One

The most interesting race on day one is the Group 2 Vintage Stakes, in which leading two-year-old Pinatubo returns after winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. There was plenty to like about that performance, not least the timefigure, a season leading 112 (125 adjusted) for two-year-olds, with his closing three-furlong sectional worthy of a 6 lb upgrade, adding substance to the deep visual impression he created in seeing off Lope Y Fernandez, who reopposes here.

Visinari also created a huge impression when winning on debut at Newmarket for Mark Johnston in June, looking something out of the ordinary in the process, and that was backed up by a good timefigure (117), staying on strongly to pull away from the rest. The son of Dark Angel didn’t quite meet market expectations in the July Stakes last time, but he was still beaten only narrowly by two more battle-hardened rivals (Platinum Star second), and is likely to be suited by the step up to seven furlongs here.

Mystery Power’s Superlative Stakes win also puts him in the mix, showing a good attitude to score in a good time (119), while Lope Y Fernandez will need to improve to reverse form with Pinatubo.

There is very little to separate the field in the Lennox Stakes from a timefigure perspective. Zaaki has thrived this year, failing to complete a hat-trick but still producing his best timefigure (128) in the Summer Mile at Ascot last time, when edged out by the ill-fated Beat The Bank. A strong traveller, he can sometimes be slowly away, and may have to cede an advantage to those that race more prominently.

Hey Gaman should be found towards the front of the field and could steal a march on Zaaki, coming here on the back of finishing second to Romanised in the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh. He lost nothing in defeat in a truly run race, one which should prove to be strong form, and he boasts the best timefigure in the field (130). Donjuan Triumphant (128) should also be expected to race prominently, he finished fourth here last year having ensured a sound pace, and can be given a chance with De Sousa onboard.

Day Two

The John Quinn-trained Liberty Beach is favourite for Wednesday’s Molecomb Stakes, having won her first two starts before finishing fourth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, when she was possibly better than the bare result that day, coming out on top of the far-side group. Compensation came in a listed race at Sandown last time, when she showed herself to be a potentially smart sprinter, putting three lengths between herself and her rivals in a fast time (121).

The main danger looks to be Maven, who is two from two and represents American trainer Wesley Ward - who will be having his first runner at Glorious Goodwood. Holding on at the finish when winning a Group 3 at Chantilly last time, the downhill five-furlong track at Goodwood should certainly play to the speedy Maven’s strengths. Of the rest, Air Force Jet was disappointing at Royal Ascot, but that was a quick turnaround after his Navan win, and he got back on track with a good effort when second in a listed event at Tipperary in a good time (116).

The Unibet Handicap looks fiercely competitive, Sir Ron Priestley heads the market following his win at Haydock last time, having disappointed at Royal Ascot in the King George V Stakes, in which Eminence and Persian Moon finished third and fourth respectively. These two lead the way on time, courtesy of those Ascot performances, with preference for the Aidan O’Brien trained Eminence.

Eminence himself disappointed last time at Fairyhouse, behind Cuban Hope, but circumstances didn’t see him at his best - the shorter trip and steady gallop conspiring against him - and he should find plenty more in his favour at Goodwood, with a strong pace expected.

Durston hasn’t recorded a fast timefigure in his five starts to date, a lack of opportunity as much as anything. Having won his last two starts, which have been small field, slowly run affairs, he’s been held up on both occasions but readily suggesting there’s a good bit more in the locker.

Day Three

The Richmond Stakes on day three is another cracking two-year-old race which revolves around the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, with the first three in the betting finishing in the first five.

The Richard Hannon trained Threat built significantly on his debut when taking second close home at Ascot (116), he wasn’t quite as clued up as the winner but managed to reel in Guildsman who finished third. Archie Watson typically has his two-year-olds ready to go from their debut, and Guildsman was no exception, an impressive winner on debut over Goodwood’s six furlongs, in a fast time (116), a timefigure he matched at Ascot. He’s since been beaten, albeit not far, in the July Stakes, but should be more competitive here.

Golden Horde has improved with each start for Clive Cox, and did best of those to race close-up in the Coventry, eventually finishing fifth, despite not quite looking the finished article. Royal Commando hasn’t yet recorded a significant timefigure, but showed very good speed over the closing three furlongs at Doncaster last time, earning a significant upgrade, and appeals as the sort to go on improving.

The Gordon Stakes looks an excellent opportunity for Constantinople, last seen finishing a neck second when conceding the best part of a stone to stablemate South Pacific in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot (128). That performance continued his sharp upward curve despite still not looking the finished article, and he looks sure to continue improving.

The Nassau Stakes sees Hermosa looking to get back on track following defeat in the Coronation Stakes, where she wasn’t quite in the same form that saw her win the Irish Guineas (127) in emphatic fashion. Her performances at the Curragh and Ascot suggest that she should stay at least ten furlongs and she is certainly the pick on timefigures.

She’s some way clear of her fellow three-year-olds on time (and form), with stablemate I Can Fly her nearest challenger on time, courtesy of her win in the Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown.