Glorious Goodwood 2013 - Day One

A really good card of racing for the start of what promises to be five top class days of racing at Glorious Goodwood.

We've played our cards as late as possible today because the ground was uncertain right up until a couple of hours ago. It means we've not had any ante post interests, which is unusual for us, but there is absolutely no point backing the likes of an overpriced Street Cry for a big handicap only for the rain to come bucketing down - you've as good as done your dough then, and it isn't any fun.

We have multiple interests for day one.

1:55 bet365.com Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m1f192y

Spirit Of The Law 1pt each-way @ 20/1 Bet Victor, Stan James, Betpack.com, Independents, guaranteed) AND 1pt win @ Betfair SP - E/W 4th

The recent rain will be in Spirit Of The Law's favour here, and the tendency of those drawn towards the inside might set it up for a closer who has been dropped out. Spirit Of The Law still looks progressive given his favoured conditions, and the booking of a 5lb claimer who has repeatedly caught the eye this season looks a positive. This race tends to throw up big priced winners and the race was won last year by Landaman, also under a 5lb claimer Darren Egan. George Chaloner has impressed in some of the big handicaps this season and although a lot of luck in running is required around here, the selection looks overpriced.

2:30 bet365 Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 5f

Reroute 5pts win @ 5/1 (Boylesports, SeanieMac.com, Bet Victor, Ladbrokes, guaranteed)

Majestic Alexander 2pts win @ Betfair SP

I'm just not keen on any of these colts and I don't think anything in the race will necessarily improve for the conditions. Reroute has been kept for this race, her debut is working out really well and she looks a proper fast two year old. Fillies have a good record in this contest and I have to say I thought her effort in the Queen Mary was huge coming as it did so soon after her debut. At 5/1 she looks the bet of the day in a race full of colts who might not make the grade in my view.

Majestic Alexander is added at a price, given her drawn and the fact that Justice Day does not run. She might be able to bag the rail and make her speed tell. I think Sandown came too soon for her last time out and this sharper test and the fact that she won't be taken on for the lead means I have to save on her given how well her Windsor win looks in the contest of the beaten horses.

3:05 bet365 Lennox Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 7f

No interest in this race for us. For those of you at the races and wanting a bet, Caspar Netcher is joint top rated here and will enjoy the ground. He makes a little each-way appeal at 12/1.

3:40 bet365 Summer Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m6f

A minefield of a handicap here. Another fitness chance is taken, with Camborne who makes his seasonal debut. 16/1 is available and he makes some each-way appeal.

4:15 Casino At bet365 EBF Maiden Stakes Cl2 6f

Munfallet 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 14/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

Was very well fancied at Kempton last time out but I don't think he was right that day, nor did he seem in love with the surface. Hannon has always liked this horse and the key here could be the ground. He has a lot of turn in his knee as he strides and as a close relative of Captain Raimus, who liked to get his toe in, there is a suggestion here that he might improve for the softer ground. Not many of these look like proper two year olds, rather they are three year old projects, Munfallet and the favourite look exceptions and with Paul Hanagan up, I think the selection is overpriced with relation to his stablemate.

4:50 Poker At bet365 Stakes (Handicap) Cl3 1m

This is another no bet race for us. Jack's Revenge seems to have ideal conditions, and for those of you wanting an interest he is a good each-way proposition at around 9/1, having been well backed this morning (tipped up by Hugh Taylor).

5:25 Mobile At bet365 Stakes (Handicap) Cl3 5f

Tioman Legend 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 20/1 (Ladbrokes, guaranteed, 16/1 generally guaranteed)

Has been written off as a difficult horse, but I take the view that he hasn't been in love with the ground this season. I think you want a low draw here, those in the centre traditionally do better in this race and if George Baker can get a good tow into the contest, I fancy his chances of winning. Kyllachy's progeny tend to go well with headgear applied and the selection has first time blinkers on today. That, along with the ground, is taken to make the difference. He has strong course form behind Lady Gibraltar from last season, and his run at Ascot on reappearance this year was really promising and probably the best recent form on offer here. He has since raced twice on a road at Windsor and looked disinterested, he is forgiven those performances and taken to get back to winning ways this afternoon.

Profit & loss: day: -10.00 / month: -7.31 / year: +121.20