Angus McNae's Racing UK Blog
	Wednesday 27th July 2016

Pastoral Player on track for more success

Day one of the Glorious Meeting was a poor one here on the blog with two losers.

The only thing I got right was to follow James McDonald and he duly rode the winner of the big race on Dutch Connection. He also rode three seconds. Playing catch up is never easy and I will be playing it cautiously on day two.

The big race is the Qatar Sussex Stakes, which is effectively a re-run of the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

In that race Galileo Gold got an easy advantage over his principal rivals under a super ride from Frankie Dettori.

Try as they might neither The Gurkha or Awtaad could close in.

This clearly did not suit The Gurkha, who also found some trouble in-running and would surely have been suited by a race with more pace.

He was also compromised by a steady gallop in the Eclipse and he probably also found the trip stretching him.

I think he has another explosive performance in him, such as we saw when he won the French Guineas and today could be the day provided he gets a stronger gallop. He should be backed with confidence to turn the Ascot form on its head.

Galileo Gold to Finish in Top 3 – 8/1
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The final race on the card (5.25) can go to last year’s winner Pastoral Player.

He goes very well at this track and 12/1 looks to be very good each-way value.

In the last 14 days Hughie Morrison, who trains this horse has had seven winners and his good form can continue.

Pastoral Player won here two starts ago and then finished second in something of a crawl and sprint affair at Doncaster.

Charlie Bennett, who rides him, gets on very well with him and stall six is a decent draw.

He looks to be a serious player at a decent price.

Angus McNae’s Day Goodwood tips

3.10 Goodwood - The Gurkha

5.25 Goodwood - Pastoral Player each-way