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Dunlop has the right Tactic in Goodwood Cup
LONDON - Stamina is the main attraction on the Sussex Downs today as the top two-milers battle it out for the prestigious Artemis Goodwood Cup, with the improving Tactic looking the most likely winner

LONDON - Stamina is the main attraction on the Sussex Downs today as the top two-milers battle it out for the prestigious Artemis Goodwood Cup, with the improving Tactic looking the most likely winner.

A facile victory at York was followed by a comprehensive display at the Curragh last time which has seen the John Dunlop-trained four-year-old rise to a mark of 118, the highest in this race. Staying on strongly for both those wins, the step up in trip appears logical, with the Sadler's Wells gelding showing marked progression this season and the smart mare Profound Beauty already having nicely boosted the form of his Curragh success.Â

Ascot Gold Cup second, Age Of Aquarius, provides the main competition, but Dunlop is confident his Melbourne Cup entrant can deny the Coolmore representative top honours.

Earlier on the card, a competitive field has been assembled for the Audi King George Stakes and old-timer Borderlescott holds top claims. Third in the King's Stand Stakes at Ascot behind top-class Equiano looks eyecatching and with Kieren Fallon booked for the ride, the Compton Palace gelding can benefit from the former champion's brilliance to deservedly get his head in front and record a 13th career victory.

Epsom provides punters with good twilight action and their feature race the Viking Direct Conditions Stakes can go to Heliodor. Richard Hannon looks to have found an opening for the four-year-old who was last seen in Listed company. Taking a significant drop in grade, Richard Hughes should be able to pick off the Godolphin contingent with Epsom's hill aiding the cause.

The Weatherbys Bank Maiden Stakes looks an interesting contest earlier on the card and Godolphin inmate Book Keeper can land the spoils. Slightly disappointing on debut, the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained colt is well bred and will improve for the run. Holding good entries later in the season points further towards a good display.

Musselburgh hold a six-race card where Ridley Didley can land the Blackrock Handicap. Consistent this season, Noel Wilson's charge only failed by 0.75 lengths when last seen at York.
Spoken can stay ahead of the handicapper by taking the Roseland Group Ltd Handicap at Nottingham. First-time cheekpieces and prominent riding resulted in victory at Bath last time and Roger Charlton looks to have found an opening here on favourable terms for a horse that appears to have turned the corner.

The Evan Williams-trained Ajman can continue his excellent run of form in the Tony And Josie Handicap Hurdle at Stratford. The five-year-old has hit the target on three of his last five starts and maybe a busy June was catching up with him when narrowly beaten at Worcester last time. He has been given a few weeks to recover from those four runs in a month and has every chance of finding the winner's enclosure once again.

The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap is the feature event in Ireland, with English hopes resting on the shoulders of Donald McCain's current market leader and Northumberland Plate hero, Overturn. However, the raiders have a terrible record in the race and Bahrain Storm looks the one to continue the Irish dominance and bag a famous repeat success.

Trainer Patrick Flynn viewed his recent comfortable Tipperary win in Grade Three company as a good stepping stone for this contest for a horse who is fine health and can defy a stone rise in the weights from 12 months ago. - Press Association

 


Written By: Nicci Garner
Date Posted: 7/29/2010
Number of Views: 105