Dalghar for glorious start to Goodwood
The Group Two Betfair Cup is highlight of the first day of the Glorious Goodwood meeting and has a distinct feel of déjà vu.
Twelve months ago Finjaan and Balthazaar's Gift fought out the finish of this race, with Finjaan winning by a half-length. But he has not shown much since and the Marcus Tregoning yard has not been in prime form this summer.
This also looks a better-class renewal with plenty of early pace in the race, which may well suit the French raider Dalghar.
Alain de Royer-Dupre’s colt, a half-brother to top-class performers like Dalakhani and Daylami, has only had nine starts and still seems to be on the upgrade. He was an impressive winner of the Group Three Prix du Palais-Royal over seven furlongs in June which prompted his trainer to pitch him into Group One company for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He raced too keenly to have a chance of staying the mile but there is enough early speed in this field, from the likes of Cat Junior and Red Jazz, to give him a lead back at seven furlongs and the drop to Group Two level helps too.
The Group Three Betfair Gordon Stakes is the first of the recognised St Leger trials, with Sixties Icon (2006) and Conduit (2008) completing the double and nine of the 11 runners hold and entry for the final Classic of the season.
Rebel Soldier has been well supported in the market on the back of an eight-length win in a handicap at York but that was off a mark of just 88 so he will need to improve from that. Dandino has done little but improve to win four starts this year and a form line with Caucus gives him the beating of Corsica.
But Arctic Cosmos (pictured) has already bridged the gap from handicaps to finish two-and-a-quarter lengths second to Monterosso in the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting, where the third, Buzzword, went on to frank the form by winning the Group One Deutsches Derby.
Having swept the board of the major two-year-old prizes at Newmarket’s July meeting, Richard Hannon is out to repeat the feat at this meeting, starting with the Group Three Betfair Molecomb Stakes. Zebedee is first out for the Hannon team but John Best has never denied his belief in Stone of Folca, whom he believes could be as good as former stable star Kingsgate Native.
Stone of Folca is still a maiden after three starts but two of those were creditable efforts during Royal Ascot. Best feels that the horse just needs to be held up for a late run and the downhill five furlongs at Goodwood could be to his advantage.
The opening race on the cars is the Betfair App For iPhone Handicap and Australia Day, who has been running well both on the Flat and over hurdles of late, can make the most of a favourable draw.
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