Sport

Mid-week Betting: Grandeur poised to retain crown at Goodwood

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the week’s races

WEDNESDAY

GOODWOOD

3-50 RH HALL FOUNDATION STAKES (LISTED) – 1 M 1 F 192 YDS

Grandeur was pulled out of an intended engagement at Newbury last weekend because of going concerns, but he can retain his crown following a win in this race last season. This will be his first start in the UK since winning at Lingfield back in April and with Ryan Moore once again booked to ride, he has to be high on any shortlist.

Danadana is an obvious danger and is another that is fully effective at this trip. He has a Group Three victory under his belt and despite showing some fairly moderate form in recent starts, this drop in grade will help. The yard seemed to have turned a corner with their runners and with Andrea Atzeni booked, the combination ought to prove worthy adversaries.

Be My Gal has won at this track this season and comes here proven at this level. She disappointed at Chantilly before floundering on soft ground at Deauville, but if over those exertions she has a chance back on home soil. Grandeur is a well-seasoned veteran and should prove a class above these. He has run with credit in his most recent races, but Ryan Moore seems to get the best out of him and they can go close here.

KEMPTON PARK

8-50 BETBRIGHT LIVE THE MOMENT HANDICAP – 1 M 3 F

Devilment is unbeaten in two previous visits to Kempton and he can get back to winning ways this evening. He was only just touched off at Wolverhampton last time and now that he steps back in trip he can get back to winning ways. He has been a model of consistency this season and William Buick has already piloted him to success on this polytrack surface.

Ragged Robin comes here in search of a five timer and he has to rate as the biggest danger. He has been doing his winning over slightly further though and despite the yard firing on all cylinders this is his toughest opposition to date. Ted Durcan clearly gets on well with the three year old and he is respected.

Carnevale has shown all of her best form on turf. She has been tried twice previously on a synthetic surface and has been beaten convincingly. Devilment is Charlie Appleby’s only runner at Kempton Park tonight and it will be of little surprise to see him in the winners enclosure at the end despite having to concede weight all around.

THURSDAY

4-15 JOCKEY CLUB ROSE BOWL (LISTED) – 2 MILES

Flying Officer looks set to contest only his second race of the season and can make it four wins from just five career starts. He seems versatile regarding ground conditions having won on both soft and good to firm surfaces. He was upped to one mile and six furlongs when we last saw him back in April and the way he finished that day suggests he ought to have no issues with the longer distance. William Buick won on him last time and they can build on what they have achieved so far.

Pallasator was a bitter disappointment in the Irish St Leger where he could only manage to finish in seventh place behind Brown Panther. This is a big drop in grade and connections will be hopeful that the ground remains on the easy side of good in order for him to be seen to maximum effect.

Andrea Atzeni has been tasked with the ride and if there are any fitness issues with Flying Officer, Pallasator is likely to capitalise. Blue Surf has been beaten out of site when upped to this level on previous occasions and is passed over here, whilst Tenenbaum, Shwaiman and Times Up look regressive. Flying Officer is a horse that still has potential improvement in him and he can go onto better things after this.

FRIDAY

NEWMARKET

2-40 SHADWELL ROCKFEL STAKES (FILLIES GROUP 2) – 7 FURLONGS

Calypso Beat found the unexposed Muraaqaba too strong over this course and distance last time. She tried to dominate from the outset and was only just collared in the closing stages. Connections will be praying that there is no significant rainfall between now and Friday ahead of this winnable target. Ryan Moore is a notable jockey booking for the filly and he can encourage further improvement from her.

Found was only just touched off in a Group One race at The Curragh last time and she has to command respect. She won at the first time of asking earlier in the year and showed significant improvement when placed behind leading 1000 Guineas candidate Cursory Glance.

It is likely that Joseph O’ Brien will partner this daughter of Galileo and they look the biggest threat. Home Cummins and East Coast Lady need to take another leap forward if they are to feature, whilst this is a massive rise in grade for the unexposed Fadhayyil. Calypso Beat has already seen off challenges of the re-opposing Tigrillo and Stroll Patrol this season and she can confirm that form to progress again.