The five-day Goodwood Festival – also known as “Glorious Goodwood” – begins on Tuesday 1 August 2023, with the action on Day 1 starting at 1.40 and concluding shortly after 5.35.
Amongst my tips for the opening day is an exciting juvenile sporting the famous Juddmonte silks – and one against the favourite in the featured Goodwood Cup.
Goodwood Festival Day 1 Tips
2.15 – Array @ 2/1
Array is a horse I’ve been waiting to see again having been impressed by his racecourse debut at Newbury in early July.
Andrew Balding’s two-year-old finished a solid second that day to a previous winner in Starlust – now rated 89 – who could line up in the G2 Richmond Stakes on Thursday.
The form in behind has worked out brilliantly too. Indian Run, who was over 2L behind the selection, hacked up in a strong-looking maiden at Ascot on Saturday – and 5th-placed Navy Jack was an eye-catching runner-up to a talented Godolphin runner at Sandown just a few day prior.
Balding’s juveniles tend to improve for the run and this son of No Nay Never certainly shaped like that would be the case, which should make him very tough to beat in what looks nothing more than a decent maiden.
4.35 – Coltrane @ 11/4
The feature on Day One is the Goodwood Cup.
At time of writing, 11 go to post for this Group 1 contest over 2m – but for me, this is between the three at the top of the betting.
Ascot Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami has an obvious chance. He’s a winner at the highest level after just four runs and clearly has immense potential, but I think he’s worth opposing down in trip on easier ground than he’s faced to date.
If the rain continues to fall and conditions are worse than expected, I wouldn’t put anyone off Emily Dickinson. She’s in the form of her life and loves cut in the ground.
However, the one for me is Coltrane – another for Mr. Balding.
There wasn’t all that much between him and the favourite at Royal Ascot, and I suspect a combination of the shorter trip and juice in the ground can see that form reversed.
The six-year-old son of Mastercraftsman is battle-hardened and almost always runs his race. We don’t know that about the Gosdens’ runner yet.
5.05 – Rowayeh @ 5/1
I must admit, tipping up a relatively short-priced favourite in a 20-runner fillies’ handicap isn’t my usual go-to, but it’s very hard to get away from the claims of Rowayeh for the all-conquering Shadwell Racing/Owen Burrows/Jim Crowley team.
Not only is Burrows in sensational form with four wins from his last eight runners – including the G2 York Stakes and of course the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – but this three-year-old has plenty going for her.
She’s only had four runs to date but has improved for every one. Her last effort, in a 0-80 affair at Sandown in the middle of June, looks strong form. The horse she gave 4lbs to and beat by over a length subsequently landed the Coral Distaff (Listed).
This daughter of Dubawi should continue to improve, and to my eye at least looks a lot better than her current mark of 85. Hopefully she proves me right.
5.35 – Executive Decision e/w @ 8/1
My final tip on Tuesday comes in the day’s eighth and final race, which is another fillies’ handicap. This time it’s over 6f, and my attention is drawn to one at a bigger price.
Executive Decision can go well in this for Jamie and Saffie Osborne.
The three-year-old daughter of Ardad transferred from Jessie Harrington’s yard in June and has since ran twice for new connections. Despite outperforming huge odds in two very competitive handicaps at Ascot and Newmarket, she’s been dropped from a mark of 87 to 84. I think that’s generous and, with those runs under her belt, she could be very dangerous in this company.
Based on her career-best performance on heavy ground at Naas in November 2022, she won’t be inconvenienced by any further rain. In fact, she becomes a stronger proposition if the heavens remain open.
At the quoted price, I’m advising this one each-way with Betfred paying 4 places.
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