Sunday 30th August 2020

 



15:35 Goodwood

David O'Meara won this last year with Suedois and I think he has a great chance of landing it again, this time with Escobar. He was obviously very disappointing looking at his finishing position last time out at York but that doesn't tell the full story. After jinking right at the start he found himself towards the rear early on and on a day where it was pretty much essential to be up with the pace, he never got a look in. I'd rather judge him on his run here at Goodwood the time before when third in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes. The winner Space Blues has franked the form since by winning a Group 1 in France and the fourth (Safe Voyage) won a Group 2 at York fairly comfortably on his next start. The winner actually cut him up a furlong from home that day so there is a fair argument to say he would've finished closer.

A winner on heavy ground in the Balmoral handicap at Ascot at the end of last season, beating the talented Lord North fairly comfortably, there is no worries about the ground for him today. He is top rated on official figures and the 9/2 looks more than fair here.


Escobar 9/2 - 1 Point Win


15:25 Yarmouth

There are a couple of unexposed three year olds in here who could take advantage of their weight-for-age allowance here in the shape of Global Esteem and Libretti. However, neither of them have encountered soft conditions like these before which poses a big question, although the latter is by Noble Mission who won the Champions Stakes at Ascot on pretty desperate ground. Having said all that, I would much rather be on one proven on the ground and at a double figure price Oud Metha Bridge fits that perfectly.

His best career run on turf came on heavy ground over course and distance with today's talented claimer in the saddle in June last year. That win came off a mark of 70 and he now finds himself down to 68 despite having excuses for some of his recent below par runs. The son of Helmet missed the kick and was bumped at the start last time out and never seemed happy after that so I'm happy to put a line through that run. He was noted travelling strongly at Newbury the time before that, but was swamped by those from off the pace late on. Returning to a track where his form figures read 23612123, a double figure price looks a cracking each way bet - especially given the recent 2nd and 3rd placed efforts here came in a higher grade than today's.

Oud Metha Bridge 10/1 - 1 Point Each-Way


17:10 Yarmouth

Rasheeq has been a bit of a project for me this season and I remain of the opinion that he is more than capable off this kind of mark. He is seen to best effect on ground with a bit of cut and hasn't encountered that much recently and after disappointing on quick ground over course and distance recently he drops down to class 5 here which could certainly put him in the mix for the places, with many firms paying 4. Camachess looked my idea of the likeliest winner but with that one a non-runner I'll take the bigger priced tech-way angle as I usually do.

Rasheeq 11/1 - 0.5 Points Each-Way




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