Glorious Goodwood Day 1 Tips – Goodwood Cup Day Predictions

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Today is the opening day of Glorious Goodwood, which for those who don’t know is a five-day flat racing bonanza hosted at Goodwood Racecourse in West Sussex.

From Tuesday to Saturday, punters and horse racing fans alike will be treated to some outstanding action, from top-class group races to big-field handicaps, Glorious Goodwood has the lot. Ahead of the first day, let’s get stuck into the card and see if we can pinpoint a few value selections.

Glorious Goodwood Day 1 Betting Tips

On the first day of the festival in West Sussex, there are a few races that catch the attention, or rather a few runners that look nicely priced, so here goes.

2.50 – Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap

First up we have the Coral Chesterfield Cup, a handicap race run over one mile and two furlongs, open to horses aged four and above. £51,540 is on offer to the winning connections, so it’s not surprising that a decent field is set to go to post, with 15 runners declared.

Sir Mark Prescott’s Eagle’s Way is popular in the early betting after returning from a break to finish a very strong second at Yarmouth last time out on similar ground. That form rates well and thus the gelding should be taken very seriously here. However, at more sizable odds, Lord Protector stands out as the best option as far as I’m concerned.

This one arrives here for an in-form stable and a hugely in-form jockey. Moreover, the gelding, who is possibly not yet fully exposed, won well last time out, shaping as though he could have more to offer. He won a shade cozily over this trip in Sandown, and although he is up in the weights for that success, he sits just 1 lb above the mark from which he ran well in this race last year. 12 month ago, he was fifth in this, though he ran on well from the too far back. With more ideal ground, if he can get better positioned, it’ll be little surprise to see him come home strongly and lay down a challenge under the confidence-brimming Rossa Ryan.

Best Bet – Lord Protector (each-way) @ 9/1

3.25 – Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes

At just before half past three in the afternoon, we move onto higher class action as a field of two-year-old’s battle it out for a Group 2 prize over seven furlongs. In what looks to be a very open and competitive contest, many have chances.

Haatem rates as quite a solid favourite in the early betting, which is about right after he ran well at Royal Ascot, before finishing second at this level at Newmarket last time out. That rates as some of the best form on offer, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he gained a first success outside of maiden company.

Mountain Bear, for the always popular team of Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien, is likely to be fancied too, even if he did fail to live up to expectations last time out. For my money, though, Soldier’s Gold looks rather generously priced and is the one to side with.

Hugo Palmer’s runner couldn’t have been much more impressive when decisively winning a competitive Class 4 event at Ascot last time out. This is deeper, sure, but he really did create a positive impression on that occasion, quickening clear, before appearing to finish with plenty left in the tank. The extra distance looks ideal, as does the cut in ground based on his novice win. This is a Group 2 and it is competitive, but there are few absolute stand outs and it is indeed open, so don’t be surprised if something claims this at a sizable price.

Best Bet – Soldier’s Gold (each-way) @ 14/1

5.35 – World Pool British EBF Fillies’ Handicap

The final race on the card is a fillies handicap. 13 runners are due to go to post, so there are naturally plenty in here with chances, though Kitai has created such a taking impression of late that she is very hard to oppose.

The mount of Joe Fanning landed the spoils over seven furlongs at Carlisle in June, winning with a little bit in hand on soft ground. She once again showed her appreciation for ground with plenty of cut in it over this trip at Pontefract last time out. On that occasion, she once again won by a clear margin, quickening clear of a decent Class 2 field. Such form is hard to ignore and leaves her standing as the most obvious winner of this.

For a trainer who has a very promising strike rate at Goodwood, this progressive-looking filly has the credentials to be favourite here, and I’d even argue that she could be a bit shorter. She may well be come the off, so I’m on at 11/5.

Best Bet – Kitai to Win @ 11/5

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