14:25 Goodwood

True Legend, 0.5 pts E/W, 10/1, 4 places

TRUE LEGEND (best price 10/1) has turned in some excellent efforts in defeat over the last twelve months, finishing in the frame in five of his last eight starts, and has a great opportunity to get his head in front here. 

Sir Mark Prescott’s charge has only found one too good in his two previous visits here, including when he was very unlucky over C&D in May, beaten by just a neck. He was denied a clear run twice but flew home to nearly take the spoils.

Two starts back, he contested the Northumberland Plate and again was unlucky to be slowly away before being denied a clear run twice in the home straight. To his credit, he stayed on well to finish fifth. 

I have no doubt he would have gone close otherwise and could have won both of the mentioned races with a touch of fortune. His latest third at Ascot was respectable, and the assessor has only raised his mark by a pound.

This son of Camelot deserves a change of luck because he’s been knocking on the door in valuable handicaps for a long time now. The ground, track, and trip suit and his trainer is in red-hot form. 

With plenty to like about his credentials, this progressive and consistent four-year-old has outstanding each-way claims at the very least and should arguably be favourite. Five places are generally available and advised.

15:35 Goodwood

Rocket Rodney, 0.5 pts E/W, 40/1, 6 places

The Coral Stewards' Cup looks extremely competitive, as you would expect, but the most alluring proposition at the odds is George Scott’s ROCKET RODNEY (best price 40/1), who shouldn’t be written off returning to this venue.

He was a very smart juvenile, winning twice, including a Listed race, as well as finishing a neck second in the Windsor Castle Stakes. The one key piece of form, though, is his second to Trillium at this meeting that same year in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes.

His record here reads a win and that formerly-mentioned second in two starts, so this course distinctly brings the best out in him. Rated as high as 105 back then, there’s no doubt he’s extremely well handicapped off 97 should he return to his best. 

I thought he was eye-catching when he was seventh of 25 in the Wokingham Stakes in June and is 3lb lower here. He’s reunited with Daniel Muscutt, who has exclusively managed to get the best of him, and a strongly-run contest back at his favourite venue should see him in a better light. 

So while he comes with risks attached, there’s actually a lot to like about his profile for a race of this nature. He has Group form, loves fast ground, likes this venue, and is lurking on a dangerous mark. I’m really sweet on his chances, with six places advised.