Goodwood Tips: Friday Best Bets for Day 4 at Glorious Goodwood

Super Superjack, 1pt WIN, 7/1

Olly Murphy has a strong chance of winning this marathon contest with either of his two runners, who have previously contested this race and performed very well. 
The first one being SUPER SUPERJACK (best price 7/1), who was desperately unlucky in this race two years ago when second, and gets a second bite of the cherry off a 2lb lower mark.

He progressed into a decent stayer between 2021 and 2022 before returning from a large absence to finish an eye-catching fourth at Nottingham in May, shaping as though he retains most of his ability.
Although he was never able to figure at Ascot when sixth due to being slowly away, there were still positives to glean, and his handler has trained him specifically for this race. 

I am confident in saying he would have won this two years ago with a clear passage, as he had to sit and suffer at a crucial point prior to having to come wide around the field to build up a head of steam.

Fresh off the back of a double yesterday, Tom Marquand is booked to ride, and his mount is lower in the handicap on his second crack at this prize. The ground has come right for him, and I’m pretty confident he has the tools for redemption.

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Tronador, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1, 5 places

Olly Murphy not only saddles Super Superjack but also TRONADOR (best price 16/1), who sneaks in right at the foot of the handicap with Silvestre De Sousa getting down to do the extremely low burden.

This ex-Gordon Elliott team member finished an unbelievable third in this race last year, considering how far back he was entering the home straight. That effort came off a 2lb higher mark, too. 

He was held up right out the back of the field, and given how strongly he travelled, it was unfortunate he suffered major interference, as he couldn’t get through when just about to hit full stride.

Nevertheless, once he found clear daylight, the ground he made up was pretty remarkable, to say the least, hitting the line strongly and clocking the fastest finishing sectionals, faster than the front pair. 

The ground was softer that day, but he does act on quick ground. All things considered, such as his lower mark, top jockey in the saddle, and form in the race, surely make him a standout each-way player here.
Most firms are paying five places, so take advantage of that while you can!

Al Musmak, 1pt WIN, 3/1

This looks like an above-average renewal of this Group 3 race, but having bounced back to his best with a smooth Listed success at Newmarket three weeks ago, AL MUSMAK (best price 3/1) is fancied to follow-up back in this grade.

Roger Varian’s charge achieved a good level of form as a juvenile, winning twice as well as finishing second in the other two. His two seconds read well as he chased home Rosallion and Ghostwriter, who have strengthened the form in a major way since. 

His first two runs at three saw him step up in trip to 1m2f, but it ultimately backfired, as he looked a non-stayer on both occasions, particularly at Ascot. However, returning to a mile last time saw him back in the winner's circle.

He derived from the strong pace set by Socialite and showed a nice turn of foot to win by more than two lengths. His record over a mile now reads 121, and with more to come, he can take the return to this grade in his stride.

Orbaan, 0.5 pts E/W, 9/1, 5 places

An extremely competitive puzzle is the Coral Golden Mile. Top-weight Holloway Boy should go well, but I’m really interested in ORBAAN (best price 9/1), who is coincidentally back on the same mark as when he won this race two years ago by more than three lengths and makes plenty of appeal with five places on offer.

The nine-year-old isn’t getting any younger now at the age of nine, but he’s still capable of smart form and resumed winning ways with a comfortable win off top-weight at Carlisle on his penultimate outing. He wasn’t in the same form last time out at the same venue, but he’s well-suited to large-field handicaps.

David O’Meara’s charge has multiple placed efforts off higher marks to his name, and it’s interesting to see Silvestre De Sousa do the low weight. He’s drawn well in stall four, will love the ground, and is very well handicapped on his peak form. The 2022 winner has a great chance of repeating the dose.

Rogue Lightning, 0.5 pts E/W, 20/1, 4 places

Big Evs should ensure the is run at a decent tempo, and that will massively influence the chances of ROGUE LIGHTNING (best price 20/1) who loves a fast pace and is by no means out of this with the hood reapplied. 

His record in this headgear reads three wins from five starts, and it’s hard to forget how unlucky he was in last year’s Group 1 Abbaye at Longchamp, where he got no clear run but finished a close-up fifth without being asked for maximum efforts.

This fella is all speed, and having easily been excused for his down-the-field effort in the King Charles at Royal Ascot, he performed well behind Starlust last time out to finish second despite not getting the cover he would have liked in a tactically run contest.

This course looks tailor-made for him, and he’s been granted a lovely slot in stall six. If everything clicks, I’m pretty sure he’s capable of at least making the frame. With most firms paying four places, Tom Clover’s speedster has an excellent each-way chance.

My Prospero, 1.5pts WIN, 2/1

Cicero’s Gift did us a favour last time out when making a successful reappearance and should go well, but even though he’s returning from a layoff, MY PROSPERO (best price 2/1) might just have his measure.

The five-year-old has made the frame in three Group 1s so far in his career, including a narrow third in the St James’s Palace Stakes two years ago. 

He performed well when he finished fourth in the Lockinge Stakes last year on his return, and despite only finishing seventh in the Champion Stakes when last seen, this classy horse will find this much easier. 

He scored over C&D last September, is rated 6lb higher than Cicero’s Gift, and only has to concede 2lb to him. With the exception of Charlie Hills’ runner, the remainder don’t look good enough.

Cayman Tai, 0.5 pts E/W, 20/1, 5 places

In the Hawes & Curtis Nursery, I like the credentials of CAYMAN TAI (best price 20/1) at a double-figure price. He’s done little wrong in four starts, placing second three times prior to opening his account last time out. 

The form of his Ffos Las is only moderate, but I’m sure he’s better than that based on the fact he was sent off 2/5 favourite. His second to Vingegaard on debut, who’s now rated in the 90s, looks good, though. 

So does his second to Rajeko, who performed well to finish fourth in a Group 2 race when last spotted. With plenty more to offer up against stronger opposition, he could run well with five places generally available.

The Actor, 0.5 pts E/W, 12/1, 5 places

THE ACTOR (best price 12/1) had a subsequent Listed winner in behind when a close second on debut before going a place better when seeing off a quality field. 

That form is the best on offer, as he had Al Qudra in behind again, as well as Mr Chaplin, who landed a good race here yesterday. Back in second was Tropical Storm, who finished runner-up in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes.

He could only finish midfield in the Coventry Stakes but would have finished closer without being impeded a couple of furlongs out. His latest third in the Dragon Stakes also reads well, with Aesterius running a good race earlier in the week. 

Interestingly, he’s equipped with blinkers, and that might just sharpen him up come the business end of the contest. The drop in grade will help and I’m surprised he’s available at such odds. 

I can see him making a serious impact, with various bookmakers offering five places.

Sun God, 0.5 pts E/W, 9/1, 5 places

SUN GOD (best price 9/1) beat three subsequent winners when scoring with plenty to spare at Lingfield in December, and having performed with credit in two good-quality handicaps since, Hughie Morrison’s youngster cannot be dismissed.

He pulled a long way clear with Black Run when only beaten half a length at Newmarket, and the winner was last seen finishing an excellent third in the Golden Gate at Royal Ascot off a mark of 98. Based on that form line, the selection must be well handicapped off 83.

The handicapper has only put him up 1lb for finishing a close fourth last time out, and this presents an ease in class. He’s essentially drawn well in stall four and is open to a good deal of improvement. With five places advised, I’ll be disappointed if he can’t figure prominently here.