Goodwood - Thursday

Going back to the 2yo races today, where I have had a bit more success(if you can call it that, ratings fine - selection poor?) than the 3yo race yesterday.

4.00 Goodwood Group 2 6f

104 LIBRANNO

93 MARINE COMMANDO

Conclusion: Group 2 winner last time out and a healthy speed figure, Libranno looks a class apart. Marine Commando is going to have to improve a great deal for the extra furlong and rise in class.

Mind, I nearly choked on my cornflakes when I read Timeform's comments to put The Paddyman ahead of Libranno, I quote ' ... looked group class in the making when winning a Yarmouth maiden by 8l' .... In the words of John McEnroe 'YOU CAN NOT BE SERIOUS!!!'

The class levels at Yarmouth are invariably poor and this meeting was no exception being made up of C5 and C6's, so to be superior to poor is not group class ...even in the making! Add to that, it was only the 5th best relative time of the seven races?? But, hey, what do I know? My record this week has probably put that as a nap in some people's notebooks?

4.35 Goodwood Class 2 7f

90 minus 1lbs MEMEN

77 plus 3lbs SINGAPORE LILY

81 plus 12lbs FALKLAND FLYER

Conclusion:

Memen, like the above, has the rating and the speed figure to win this, but the weight concession brings the other two into it.

Singapore Lily gets in close due to he big weight allowance, but got beaten 12l when they met at Newmarket. I have watched the replays of both races, and the Sandown one is the most unsatisfactory. Here, Singapore Lily was held up in a slowly run race - indeed, they were 'careful' round the bend - so it was a sprint to the line. Out the back was not the place to be, but she was just behind the eventual 3rd when making her run. Got a slight knock which may have cost her a couple of lengths, but that would have only put her ahead of the wall of three horses who she got stuck behind.

At Newmarket, Singapore Lily tried to make the running, while Memen was stuck behind a group of horses. It all changed just over 1f out when Memen got in the clear and went forward to win impressively, Singapore Lily went backwards. Now whether the way the race is run today will make any difference I doubt, unless it is a crawl. Again doubtful as there is plenty of pace here. I also disagree with Timeform's view that the track may not suit Memen. I have watched the replay of the Chepstow race they refer to, yes I have been thorough this morning, and I got the impression that the did not go too quick, kicked about 4f out, and Memen got outpaced in what was effectively a 4f sprint, and was eased when it was obvious that 4th was the best he could manage. That was over 6f, today is 7f, albeit on a downhill track. With plenty of pace, his turn of foot will be the key.

Falkland Flyer is not so difficult to work out. He is a possible pacemaker, so is likely to set it up for those coming from behind. However, he has been run out of it twice since winning a class 5 maiden.

The rest, in my opinion, are simply not good enough, or not getting enough weight to match my selection.

Have a good day, Gerry