IT’S been a season of flop-back-ability so why not take a chance in the big sprint at Goodwood on Friday – after all it’s good to dream!
Some of racing’s biggest stars have excelled and flopped and bounced back this term, and to name just three I’m thinking Auguste Rodin (Prince of Wales’s), City of Troy (Derby) and Notable Speech (Sussex).
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At Glorious Goodwood – live on ITV – two horses need to show what they can do once again.
The first is an obvious one in the former Nunthorpe hero Live in the Dream.
The second more a personal one in Lead Artist.
LIVE IN THE DREAM goes in the Group 3 King George Qatar Stakes and would have just about started favourite for this not so long ago.
Now he’s at long odds after disappointing this term, but I’m happy to give the 2023 Nunthorpe here another go provided he blasts out on the front end.
This track should suit his natural speed, and while there is a chance he’s just not the horse he was last season his second at Haydock, first time out to Kerdos in the Temple Stakes was not too bad at all.
Jason Hart rides him for the first time for Adam West. Bang him out, Jas!
Lead Artist is a different type.
As of yet, the John & Thady Gosden inmate has done nothing like as good as Live in the Dream.
But I have always had a hunch he’s very good.
Kieran Shoemark rides him once again in the Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes for 3yo over 1m.
The Juddmonte-owned colt flopped at Newmarket when last seen. I say flop, to some he might have run all right in third behind Al Musmak, who goes again.
But if like me you think Lead Artist is one of the best in the Gosden yard then you expected much more.
His win at York was really impressive and hopefully on faster ground he will show us what he is made of.
ITV Racing is back Friday starting here with the handicap over the extreme distance of an extended 2m4f.
Temporize did this column a right favour at Newbury last time when scoring at 10-1 and he landed this last year so has every chance.
However, I’m going with ROBERT JOHNSON as the eachway selection for new handler Tracy Waggott and Joe Fanning.
The selection was second in this last year off a mark of 79 and comes in 4lb higher today but there have been glimmers of hope this term and this extreme trip is what he wants.
He has a lovely racing weight of 8st 12lb to boot.
There’s also a competitive handicap over 1m. HOLLOWAY BOY has always had some quirks but he has now put up a string of fine handicapping performances off this mark of 105 and a strong pace here might let him close in late.
He’ll be hard to keep out the frame for Karl Burke and Sam James.
A second at Sandown last time had been preceded by a decent fifth in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.
He’s got the talent there is no doubt and represents strong eachway claims.
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