Nice winner for followers yesterday, First in Line was a short price, but won easily at  Doncaster.

Today looks a bit tricky.  I did think Sermon would win the 2.00 Chester.  He has been gelded since his last run, well drawn, he could be suited by today’s conditions.  Lexi The One could well be a live threat at decent odds, she ran a really good race last time, and the drop back to 5f should not pose too many problems.  I also like Oh Purple Reign 4.15, who has been running well all season, he drops back to 6f today, which should suit.

More later.

A few races already ran at most tracks.  Baasem 2.20 Doncaster just spreadeagled the 5 opponents, a very convincing win off his current handicap mark of 80.  I would expect his handicap mark to take a sharp rise.

At Goodwood the main race is the Unibet Stewards Cup At 3.40.  With £250,000 added prize money, it is a really competitive race.  Won by some really good horses over the years.  Khaadem is a vastly improved three year old.  He will find this his biggest test against seasoned handicappers.  I thought Buridan who is well drawn, very honest, and a big price.  I am backing him for small money each way at 50/1.  It is a stick a pin in the paper job really !

I thought First In Line 3.30 Doncaster could win again.  He is short odds, but his form is solid, and he won a shade cosily last time, from a useful performer, who was placed in a competitive handicap this week off 98.

More Later.

Decent run for my advised selection yesterday.  Well Funded was advised at 11/2 each way, having every chance when briefly leading at the furlong marker in the 5.10 Nottingham.  A good second at the line, behind the odds on favourite, giving a small profit was ok.

I just watched the first race at Goodwood.  Jubiloso was an unlucky third, I would think her jockey Ryan Moore will be at pains to watch the replay !

Looking at the remaining races.  At Bangor the ground should ride good, it is usually well maintained by the ground staff.  The 3.20 has not many runners, I was quite impressed with Illustrissime when he won at Southwell.  Always travelling well, despite a few “Novice” mistakes, he found a good turn of foot on the run in, to beat a horse rated 117.  I would expect him to win again.  All eyes will be on Newmarket tonight.  William Buick returns from a head injury, having been off since May.  He has two rides.  Hopefully he will be fine, his mount in the 6.25 Lazuli has been well backed.  Art Song 8.00 is William”s other ride.  He won on debut last season on the all weather at Kempton.  He will have to be well tuned to beat Loving Glance , who ran a really good race on debut, and in receipt of 12lbs, she looks the one to beat.

With a good winner to end July for my subscribers yesterday, the profit was 5.9 points (£593)  for the month.  So happy with that.  Edaraat was my advised selection yesterday.  Despite the drift in the market from 6/4- 5/2, the Roger Varian trained son of Exceed And Excel got the job done, maybe the showers of rain, which had not really got into the ground, was one reason why he drifted in price.

I also advised followers that Too Darn Hot would be my choice at Goodwood, given a confidant ride by Frankie Dettori, who produced his horse well inside the last furlong, to win a shade cosily at the line.  I think this horse could drop back to 6f and win at the top level, he has so much speed.

On to today’s racing.  The third day of Goodwood, with a really good field for the main race at 3.35.  This Group 1 fillies 10f event has attracted some very useful fillies.  Hermosa from the big Ballydoyle operation will likely start as favourite.  She has done very little wrong this year, and if she stays the 10f, she will be hard to beat.  I think she has every chance of getting the trip.  I hope the rain stays away, and then the ground should be just about ideal for all of them.

More later.