3:00 Bath
Inimitable Romanee shaped well on debut at Salisbury, running on after being bumped at the start and losing many lengths. An expensive buy at $210,000, and a course that Amanda Perrett has a fair strike rate with her two-year-olds. Jimmy Fortune was booked early to ride this American-bred, which are all positives. The form of the Salisbury race gives rather mixed reading. However, this sizable filly wasn't given a hard race and likely to improve for this extra furlong (1m5y). I always find the Perrett stable difficult to judge and their two-year-olds seem to fall into two camps: easy winners or nowhere to be seen. Such indifference is off putting which tempers my enthusiasm because on balance this juvenile should run a big race today. The stable have a fair win rate with their fancied runners on their second start but place statistics suggest as detailed above that they can be rather hit and miss. Hairstyle, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, has exceptional breeding, the dam a Yorkshire Oaks winner. The stable have a 50% win rate with juveniles racing here in recent years and one to respect. Lady Bridget is quite fancied in the betting and may have place claims, but needs to improve a good deal.
3:45 Goodwood
This may not be the strongest of races or the most straightforward. New Latin may be favourite for this auction race but I can't say I am overly impressed by this Jonhston runner. Both races in which this colt by Iffraaj has been placed have been muddling, small fields and the form could be weak. An attractive colt, and out-and-out galloper, he may struggle to go the pace against some of these speedier types and although capable of finishing a race could be a few lengths adrift with a furlong to go. It is a positive to have raced on soft ground before but a horse I would be careful with at a short price. Celtic Sixpense has just about enough ability to win a race and looks good for a place but may be susceptible at the finish. William Carson was originally booked to ride but Hanagan has now been given the opportunity in pursuit of the jockeys' title. Quinlan's filly has speed to burn and could well have many of these in trouble from an early stage. Her problem is finishing her race, so connections may just employ more waiting tactics today. This daughter of Celtic Swing shouldn't have any problems getting further on breeding but that doesn't seem to translate to her racing as yet. In what looks to be a weak race, and potential doubts about the favourite, it could be her day. However, she is no more than an average two-year-old at best and although having place claims may struggle to win. It is difficult to know what to think about Poppy, who has been relatively fancied on both her starts. The form of her debut at Newbury looks weak and when favourite on her second start had the tendency to hang. The betting will be the best guide to this ones chances today but should be respected.
4:20 Goodwood
David Simcock's two-year-olds have been in great form and Weapon Of Choice ran well on debut. That was a fair maiden and this colt by Ifrraaj has a favourite's chance. Flodden is a difficult horse to assess but much better than his last run at Kempton when everything went wrong and on a turning track that suits speedy types was so far off the pace had no hope. This son of Henny Hughes is a galloper and keeps plugging on, so this 1m 1f on good to soft ground may suit.
Today's races:
2:25 Bath
3:00 Bath
3:10 Goodwood
3:45 Goodwood
4:20 Goodwood
