Goodwood 2016 betting tips: Expect another Gold rush as miler bids to emulate Frankel

Impressive: Galileo Gold and Frankie Dettori follow up Guineas success with victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot
Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
Andy Stephens26 July 2016

Galileo Gold can show himself to be king of the milers by winning the £1million Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood tomorrow.

The Hugo Palmer-trained colt, owned by the race sponsor, will become the first horse since the mighty Frankel to win the 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace and Sussex Stakes (3.10) in the same season if successful.

He is not in the same league as that equine giant but his decisive victory at Royal Ascot last month — at the main expense of French 2,000 Guineas winner The Gurkha and Awtaad, who had beaten Galileo Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on very soft ground — makes him very much the one to beat as the trio meet again.

Frankie Dettori had Galileo Gold up near the front throughout at Ascot and the son of Paco Boy kept on stoutly, much as he had done at Newmarket in the Guineas. Some felt The Gurkha, who got going late after being held up, was an unlucky loser but he was beaten a length and a quarter and has since had a bruising battle in the Coral-Eclipse when edged out by Hawkbill.

By contrast, Galileo Gold has been given six weeks to recharge his batteries and Palmer says nothing but a victory will satisfy him.

TOMORROW'S TIPS

2.00 - Diamond Joel
2.35 - Ulysses
3.10 - Galileo Gold (nb)
3.45 - The Last Lion
4.20 - Bouquet De Flores
4.55 - Intimation
5.25 - Twin Sails (nap)

“There’s only one enjoyable result for me,” the Newmarket trainer said. “I loved the Guineas, I loved Ascot but the Curragh was less enjoyable.

“His work has been good since Ascot, he’s got physically stronger and we know he handles the track because he won well there last year.

“He’s an exceptionally good doer. He is an enthusiastic worker; he enjoys his work and takes it very well.

“Touch wood he’s always been an exceptionally sound horse, he’s got an extraordinary constitution and has always been very easy to train.”

Ribchester commands respect after his impressive Jersey Stakes win at the royal meeting last month but he had previously finished three-and-a-half lengths adrift of Galileo Gold when third in the 2,000 Guineas.

Best of the older generation looks Lightning Spear, who kept on nicely from off the pace when third to Tepin in last month’s Queen Anne Stakes. However, he faces a tough task conceding 8lb to the leading three-year-olds.

Chief supporting race on the card is the £100,000 Gordon Stakes (2.35), which often throws up clues for the St Leger in September. Ulysses is not entered for the final Classic of the season but he has a pedigree — he is by Derby winner Galileo out of Oaks winner Light Shift — which means he is bred for the big stage.

He was a leading fancy for the Derby after a runaway win at Newbury but he was unable to pick up on the soft ground when it mattered most after travelling sweetly.

The faster ground tomorrow should suit much better and Andrea Atzeni, who looked after him at Epsom once his chance had gone, resumes the partnership. Mark Johnston is usually a trainer to follow at Goodwood and his The Last Lion should make a bold bid in the Molecomb Stakes (3.45).

The Choisir colt confirmed himself as one of the speediest juveniles around when second in last month’s Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and has since easily gone one better at Sandown.

Diamond Joel is bred to relish the extreme trip in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Goodwood Stakes (2.00), while Twin Sails, beaten under a length behind Galileo Gold in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last year, looks primed to strike in the NatWest Stakes (5.25).

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