Keith Melrose takes aim at the second half of Goodwood's card on Tuesday, which contains a couple of sprint handicaps he has his eye on.
4.10 Goodwood
Duksy Lord @ 9/2
1pt each-way
4.45 Goodwood
Chartwell House @ 11/2
1pt win
5.55 Goodwood
Kimngrace @ 4/1
1pt win
Duksy to Lord it over rivals
Three of the four races on the second half of the Goodwood card will take place on the straight course. Five-furlong races at Goodwood are hugely speed-favouring and there is plenty of pace on the near rail, with Night On Earth and Indian Creak in the two nearest stalls both being the type to go off hard.
It sets up well for one just off the rail to get a perfect tow through the race and that is just what Dusky Lord is likely to need.
He has looked progressive at Newmarket on two of his three runs this season, suffering interference on his way to fourth in a warm race at the July meeting last time.
Celius won that race, but Dusky Lord is drawn much nearer the rail this time and likely to have his turn to shine. He wears cheekpieces for the first time, which are a nod to how the Dash at Epsom happened a little bit too quickly for him.
If they can help him through the first couple of furlongs here, he should be bang there come the finish.
Get a Free £5 Bet on any race at Goodwood on Tuesday.
Experience can bring the House edge
The 4.45 is an above-average maiden, although history suggests that is all it is. It has not produced many stars in recent years and one that is bound for even a useful level of form should expect to be firmly in the conversation.
One such horse is Chartwell House, who has already shown form up to the sort of standard normally required in this race. Both of his runs so far have been at Windsor and he still looked in need of the experience when second there a fortnight ago.
He still finished second that day, a neck off winner Eminency and well clear of the rest, so he clearly has a good amount of ability and the benefit of that run should not be lost on him. Even average improvement from second run to third is likely to have him setting a standard that will demand plenty of his rivals.
Moore to Grace winners' enclosure
The closing fillies' handicap (5.55) is over six furlongs and this provides a significantly different test to five-furlong races here as the first furlong is slightly uphill. It has already been shown to benefit Kimgrace's style of racing and she can deliver a second course-and-distance victory of the year.
It was in early-June that Kimngrace won her first handicap at this track and on her only start since she was beaten a short-head by Sandbeck at Haydock. Sandbeck has won since and so has the third, Vadamiah, who was three and a half lengths behind Kimngrace that day.
That run appeals as strong form and Kimngrace is taken to still be an upwardly-mobile young sprinter. With conditions in her favour and Ryan Moore taking the ride, she could prove hard to stop.
By Keith Melrose.
Discover more from the world's favourite online betting brand
Latest sports betting and odds
Watch horse racing live streaming
Head to the bet365 YouTube channel for exclusive racing content
