Glorious Goodwood - Naps Days 3 and 4

Nick Hardman is back with a look at Days 3 and 4 of the Goodwood festival. I don’t know about you guys but I’m not having the best of festivals so far with my own selections! Just a solitary winner in Cap O’Rushes @9/2, who I dutched with Excess “could I have been any more unlucky” Knowledge in the Gordon Stakes. Run that race another 10 times and John Gosden’s horse will win every time. Apart from that, a couple of second placed refunds and a non-runner have been the highlights. So on to Days 3 and 4 and here are my best bets.   Goodwood Day 3 (01/08/2013) 3.15 Goodwood Cup – Altano (NAP) @8/1 You can make a case for and against many of the main protagonists, if not most of the field. Mount Athos is probably the classiest horse in the race, but is difficult to catch right and this is not necessarily his ideal trip. He may prove me wrong and outclass this lot but he’s not for me. Cavalryman reminds me of myself (well past his best) and it would be a great achievement if he took this. We all know about Saddler’s Rock and Colour Vision and their great head-to-head battles in the top stayers races both here and at Royal Ascot. Of the two, I prefer Colour Vision but it would be no surprise to see either win. The one I want to be with is German raider Altano who could be the value pick @8/1. He brings genuine pattern level form to the table and he was a flying-home 5th in the Ascot Gold Cup after being left with a mountain to climb by his jockey. As long as he’s not dropped out too far back, I am expecting him to run a big race. I will also be having a few each-way on Glen’s Diamond who would have a live chance if back to his best, form that saw him take the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup back in May. He is thoroughly unpredictable but @25/1 he’s worth a speculative each-way punt.   Goodwood Day 4 (02/08/2013) 2.30 Thoroughbred Stakes – Montiridge @6/4 or better It really has been the Hughes and Hannon show so far and I have only backed one of their horses, Producer, my Day 1 NAP who duly finished last. Quite how I haven’t brought myself to back any of Hannon’s other horses is beyond comprehension! That will change on Friday when I confidently expect Montiridge to win the Thoroughbred Stakes. If you feel that I may jinx another Hannon hotpot like I did for Producer, then feel free to lay him for a place on the exchanges for very little liability. I cannot get a price on this beast at the moment of writing but I would back him at 6/4 or higher as he really should put this lot to bed if reproducing the form of this neck second to Gale Force Ten at the Royal meeting. Again you should place your bet through William Hill’s mobile app with their refund offer for second place (no, I don’t get commission!) Good luck, whatever you are backing!