The Qatar Goodwood Festival comes to a climax on Saturday and here Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway marks the first half of the card.
1.40 Goodwood
Dark Shot @ 40/1
1pt each-way
2.10 Goodwood
Bague D'Or @ 8/1
1pt win
2.45 Goodwood
Forbearance @ 14/1
1pt each-way
Dark looks worth a shot at huge odds
The Stewards’ Sprint Handicap (1.40) is the consolation race for runners who didn't get into the Stewards' Cup later on the card and the return to this track might work for Dark Shot.
The Scott Dixon-trained runner might now be nine years old, but he has dropped to a mark 3lb lower than when last successful at Catterick in October last year and is well handicapped.
Dark Shot is well suited by undulating courses like Goodwood and has recorded some of his better efforts here, including when fourth of 19 in this race four years ago off 19lb higher.
He has been inconsistent recently, but showed a glimpse of his old ability when fourth at Doncaster two starts ago from the front. He showed plenty of speed and faded only late.
His latest disappointment at Southwell can be forgiven as he is better suited by turf than the all-weather and, with bet365 offering four places, he is worth a small-stake each-way wager.
Bague D'Or has a golden opportunity
The Summer Handicap (2.10) is a fiercely competitive staying race, but Bague D'Or appears to be improving at a rapid rate and a 3lb rise for his recent Ascot victory looks very lenient.
Bague D'Or went into that race in the form of his life after landing a 1m6f handicap at Newmarket and took another big step forward in the Ascot contest when beating two lightly raced three-year-olds, with the first three 11 lengths clear of reliable fourth Reverend Hubert.
The selection had to concede 14lb in weight for age to the front pair and put in a mighty effort to beat them and record a fine time in the process.
The form looks strong because the third, Inverness, went on to finish a close third in a hot handicap at this track on Wednesday.
This is another strong race, but Bague D'Or is going forward quickly enough to step up.
Forbearance can take control
Sea La Rosa and Emily Dickinson head the market for the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (2.45) but neither look superstars and it's worth taking a chance on Forbearance causing an upset.
Forbearance marked herself down as a potential top-class filly when running away with a Group 3 at Newmarket last September and she appears to be slowly returning to her best.
She beat only one home on her first two starts this season, but those efforts came over 1m2f-1m4f and there was more to like about her return to 1m6f at Leopardstown last time.
Forbearance was beaten more than seven lengths by the winner - and runner-up Emily Dickinson - but made good headway from the rear to pass several rivals before tiring late.
That should have put her spot on for this and Hollie Doyle is an eyecatching booking. She has ridden two winners and a second from just three runners for the Harrington yard in Britain.
By Graeme Rodway.
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