Joss’s Jewels Goodwood Day 1

Mountain Hunter Can Pounce To Victory For Fallon And Godolphin

NAP – Mountain Hunter 1:50 Goodwood 16/1

My Nap for Glorious Goodwood’s Day 1 meeting is in the Unibet Handicap in the shape of Mountain Hunter. Saeed Bin Suroor’s son of Lonhro did not stop improving when winning a brace of handicaps at Meydan earlier in the season before being outclassed in the Group 1 Dubai Turf won by Japanese super mare Almond Eye. He returned to Britain to put up a very encouraging comeback in the Wolferton Stakes at Ascot, being beaten just 6 lengths by William Haggas’s Addeybb who relished in the underfoot conditions. There is reason to believe such conditions would not have suited Mountain Hunter who has been used to running on the quick turf of Meydan, and summer conditions of Goodwood will be much more up his street. If he can improve off his reappearance run (which he ought to after an 80 day break and I find horses that have had a winter campaign in Dubai tend to need a run to acclimatise back to life over here) then he could improve well handicapped with young Cieran Fallon taking a valuable 5lb off his back, for which he looks good value for.

As with all Goodwood handicaps, a great deal of luck in running is going to be needed. Mountain Hunter does have track knowledge as he won here as a three year old and at a juicy price of 16/1, he’s worth a punt each way that he can bring his class to the fore here.

NB (Next Best) – Sir Dancealot 3:00 Goodwood 13/2

My NB of Glorious Goodwood’s Day 1 meeting is in the Qatar Lennox Stakes in Sir Dancealot. It has been well documented that David Elsworth’s horses have not been in the best of form for most of this season with just 4 winners from 84 runners but they do seem to be hitting a bit of form now with some of his string running promising races recently. Therefore I think that Sir Dancealot is plenty of value in the Lennox Stakes, despite stable form he ran a solid race on reappearance in the Lockinge Stakes before floundering in the soft conditions at York behind Happy Power. I feel that race will have put him spot on for a tilt at this race, which has undoubtedly been the target after his success in this race last summer.

There is question marks over race favourite Zaaki’s aptitude for a finish after the ill fated Beat the bank fought back gallantly to deny him last time. A race he ought to have won really after travelling much the best. So James Tate’s Hey Gaman could be the main danger with the man of the moment Frankie Dettori in the saddle, he’s an improving 4 year old who should put up a bold show in his optimum conditions.

However I’m taking proven course form to side with in this race, Gerald Mosse takes the ride once again and knows the horse very well, and with luck in running I’m hopeful he can go close here and give the Elsworth team something to shout about.