After a good day 1 with the victory of Scandinavia one of only two bets at the meeting and two winning bets from two at Ripon , an ultra competitive card kicks off Day 2 with a 1m 4f handicap for 3yo’s at 1.20.
It is complicated by the stable form of Ralph Beckett who sends out the favourite Sing Us A Song.
He was extremely disappointing when second favourite behind Merchant at Ascot although his case was not helped by a very slow start. There is no doubt he has been targeted for this race by his owners Wathnan Racing and the race has surprisingly cut up to just 9 runners.
I have decided not to back anything from the Beckett yard until they show more consistency – but i don’t want to bet against Sing Us A Song who looked a horse to follow when winning at Sandown and at that point of the season would have rated as a good thing in this race as it looks now on race day.
What happened to Kinross on Tuesday sums up the season so far for Beckett and I will watch without a bet.
The Oak Tree Stakes for fillies is next up at 1.55.
Another race where Beckett fields the favourite with Tabiti. I prefer the chances of Jabaara who won this race last year but was disqualified.
I think you can forgive her run behind Cloud Cover on the AW at Chelmsford when she was backed as though defeat was out of the question. This years race looks on a par with last seasons and Jabaara went off 5/2 in 2024 and the 11/2 available looks generous as she looks to be as good as last year if you forgive her AW run.
In the Richmond Stakes at 2.30 Lady Iman will be short but her defeat last time, even though over 6f, suggested she is not progressing and could be vulnerable to an improver.
Ameeq’s form behind Charles Darwin looks red hot and the 11/2 looks an each way steal providing the 8 runners stand their ground.
In the Sussex Stakes at 3.05 there has been an attempt to hype up the clash between Field of Gold and Rosallion.
Field of Gold is totally different class and the 4/9 is if anything generous.
The Class 2 fillies handicap at 3.45 is a real puzzle. The Haggas team field two. Bintjeddah improved when second at Newmarket but she is exposed and I will be surprised if there are not a few more unexposed rivals that are better handicapped.
One of those is the other Haggas filly Wonder Star. You can forget her latest run at Newbury as she ran in the race, which came only 8 days after her previous race, because it was sponsored by her owners. The form of that race is working out very well with Protest Qilin Queen , Sand Gazelle, Likealot and Ecstatic all improving their marks subsequently.
On her debut win at Sandown on a line through Spirited Star she is well handicapped on a mark of 82. That flatters her though as Spirited Star was very tenderly handled on her debut and has improved over 14lb since.
On a day when you need to forgive a poor run Music Piece is better drawn in stall 4 and on her second over course and distance behind Victoria Harbour and ahead of Royal Ascot winner Never Let Go must have a leading chance.
I was close to putting up Wonder Star ew but the draw in Stall 1 at Goodwood can be a big disadvantage over this trip and has caused me to err on the side of caution.
The 4.20 a 2yo fillies race can go the way of Karl Burke and Zelaina for Wathnan Racing. On the first day there was a major gamble on Naval Light for the same team that was foiled and expect a similar gamble on Zelaina as they look to get there money back.
In the finale at 4.55 on what is a very tricky day Wathnan are double handed and they could finish 1 and 2.
James Doyle has chosen Defence Minister ahead of Native Warrior for whom Cristophe Soumillion is booked. Native Warrior is much better drawn and showed improved form to get back to winning ways at Newcastle.
David O’Meara seems to have got to the bottom of Leadman but that is on the evidence of one performance and this formerly unreliable character needs to back up that win at Newmarket.
In summary a day to watch, although if you like short priced favourites Field Of Gold and Zelaina look bankers. I will enjoy and wait for better opportunities on Thursday.
No Bets at Goodwood on Wednesday. Once i know ground conditions I will post any bets on runners from the Haggas yard at Sandown’s evening meeting from 8.00am on Wednesday morning.
Chrysalis Consortium 
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