Sunshine should suit The Corsican down to the ground
TRAINER Luca Cumani and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum have enjoyed a great few days after winning last Saturday’s King George at Ascot with Postponed and the opening contest here at Glorious Goodwood on Tuesday with Mount Logan.
The pair team up again today with the well-fancied Connecticut in the Glorious Stakes (2.00pm). He looked as good as ever when bolting up by a cool 16 lengths at Pontefract on his reappearance.
Nancy From Nairobi, the horse who finished a distant second that day, ran a screamer in a decent looking handicap here on Wednesday, which can only bode well.
However, Connecticut may struggle to beat the David Simcock-trained THE CORSICAN, who was a late withdrawal from last Saturday’s King George because of the rain-softened ground. With the weather set fair and the ground drying all the time, the son of Galileo will get his ideal conditions and must be backed at 2/1.
My selection ran an absolute belter to claim a fast-finishing fourth in the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes at Royal Ascot. That was over 10 furlongs and he has been crying out for the step back up in trip.
LATHARNACH looks hard to oppose in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (2.35pm) having most recently chased home Gleneagles at the Royal meeting on his last start. He looked suited by the step up to a mile last time and is fair value at 15/8 with Betway now dropped in grade.
Finally, Basem will line up as favourite in the Betfred Mile (3.10pm) and was certainly impressive at Sandown on his latest start. However, I’m prepared to take a chance on MUNAASER, runner-up that day, reversing the form.
Sir Michael Stoute’s colt meets the Godolphin contender on 2lb better terms, has a more favourable draw and, at 10/1 with Betway, he is also available at double the price.
At even bigger odds, I’ll also be having a small each-way bet on Richard Hannon’s MAGIC CITY at 20/1 with Betway. Now, he hasn’t been seen since running in Dubai in February, but he’s gone well fresh in the past and loves it at Goodwood. Third in the race last year, he has course form of 1117433 and Tom Marquand takes off a useful 5lbs.
▀ Pointers…
THE CORSICAN 2:00pm Goodwood
LATHARNACH 2:35pm Goodwood
MUNAASER 3.10pm Goodwood
MAGIC CITY e/w 3.10pm Goodwood