Horse racing betting: Charlton is on a Quest For More Goodwood winners
Racegoers will descend on the Sussex Downs in their droves for Ladies’ Day on Thursday – and they could all be on to a winner if they keep QUEST FOR MORE onside in the Goodwood Cup (3.10pm).
Roger Charlton’s charge was a good second in this race 12 months ago and put in a great effort behind Moonrise Landing on his seasonal reappearance at York back in May.
Excuses can be made for his third on the Knavesmire a couple of weeks ago, as the ground deteriorated on the day and there was a lack of pace in the race.
The fact he has proved himself at Goodwood is a major plus and, with Charlton’s yard in good form, I’ll be snapping up some of the generally available 8/1.
Last year’s winner Big Orange is the obvious danger, having cruised to victory in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month. He’s too short at 4/1 for me, though.
Curbyourenthusiasm is another fancied in the market and he will have a big chance if the ground at Goodwood remains on the quick side.
Another with a chance is Aidan O’Brien’s Sword Fighter, who receives a massive weight allowance and could be hard to pass if given a soft lead.
However, this race hasn’t been won by a three-year-old since 1990.
Middleham-based trainer Mark Johnston kicked off his Glorious Goodwood campaign in perfect fashion when Fire Fighting won the opening race of the week.
He looks to have a great chance of doing the same today as MONTSARRAT bids to take advantage of the quicker ground in the opening handicap (2.00pm).
Johnston always targets these Goodwood handicaps and Montsarrat’s record on good or quicker ground is excellent, with a win in the bag already this season.
Franny Norton, who rides this undulating course really well, takes the ride and he looks a massive each-way price at 16/1 with Coral.
I’ll also be backing William Haggas’ DWIGHT D who ran an absolute cracker at Newmarket last time out when dropping back into handicap company.
He looks well ahead of his mark and he can go very close at 8/1 with Jamie Spencer in the saddle.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Stargazer looks set to go off favourite following an impressive victory at Sandown in April.
He had several good horses in behind that day, but that was three months ago and he clearly hasn’t been straightforward to train.
POINTERS
Montsarrat e/w, 2.00pm Goodwood
Dwight D e/w, 2.00pm Goodwood
Quest For More e/w, 3.10pm Goodwood