Take Coltrane to unlock Goodwood Cup

By Simon Milham, PA

Coltrane can turn the tables on Courage Mon Ami in the Al Shaqaab Goodwood Cup, the feature on the first day of the five-day meeting in Sussex.

Andrew Balding's charge went down by three-quarters of a length in the Ascot Gold Cup, which extended the winner's unbeaten run to four.

It also gave Frankie Dettori an historic ninth Gold Cup on his favourite track.

Yet unlike Courage Mon Ami, whose two all-weather wins last season were supplemented with two victories on fast ground this term, Coltrane has proven form on easier ground and is as genuine as they come.

The six-year-old has won six and been placed second on seven of his 19 starts, and while fourth to Kyprios in this two-mile Group One contest last year, he was not beaten far.

Coltrane was favourite for the Gold Cup and the pair were well clear of the remainder and while they are expected to be the big players again over half amile less, compensation awaits the vanquished party.

Iberian created a favourable impression when winning on his Newbury debut for Charlie Hills and he can follow up in the Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes.

The Lope De Vega colt took the six and a half-furlong novice comfortably in the hands of Rossa Ryan and with no Godolphin representative, William Buick has been booked to ride.

Though the strength of the race he won can challenged, two also-rans have subsequently won and afterwards Hills was in no doubt he was near the top of the pecking order among his juveniles.

In the other Group Two contest on a stellar card, Isaac Shelby is worthy of consideration in the World Pool Lennox Stakes.

Brian Meehan's three-year-old won the Superlative at Newmarket last term, took the Greenham at Newbury on his three-year-old debut and was beaten by the tightest of margins in the French 2,000 Guineas on very soft ground at ParisLongchamp.

He was a little disappointing behind Paddington when fourth in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out, yet having been a little keen off a slow early pace, he would have finished closer but for being tight for room at a crucial stage.

Kinross is an obvious danger having won over seven furlongs at the top level on easy ground, yet Isaac Shelby remains a little unexposed and a chance is taken he can down Ralph Beckett's runner.

At Beverley, Band Of Joy is the one for the money in the five-furlong EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.

George Boughey's charge has won over this trip at Windsor and over six furlongs at Lingfield, and can complete the hat-trick, with talented apprentice Connor Planas taking off a welcome 5lb.

Philip Makin has his string in good heart at present and Impressor might be good enough to make it three wins from his last three when he is turned out under a penalty for a course and distance success, in the five-furlong Beverley Annual Badgeholders Handicap.

Jane Chapple-Hyam has been hitting the bar and not the back of the net in recent weeks, but many have run well, including Streaky Bay, who was well fancied to score at Haydock last time.

A winner on his seasonal bow at Yarmouth early last month, he was runner-up over the same seven-furlong trip at Haydock.

Returning to the Norfolk track, the four-year-old would appear to hold a leading chance again with ground conditions to suit in the At The Races App Market Movers Handicap.

The aptly-named True Courage invariably gives his all and has a decent strike-rate, having won or finished second in nine of his 23 starts for Michael Bell.

He comes into his own at this time of year and he should come on plenty for his first run back at Windsor following a break, so should be cherry ripe for the At The Races Form Study Handicap.

In the day's jumping action, Heros De Moutiers looks primed to go one better than his Market Rasen second when he lines up in the Paul Matthews 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase, which opens Worcester's six-race evening card.

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

GOODWOOD: (HONG KONG WORLD POOL MEETING) Race 1: 14.40 Raasel, Race 2: 15.15 Union Island, Race 3: 15.50 Caius Chorister, Race 3: 16.25 Iberian, Race 5: 17.00 Isaac Shelby, Race 6: 17.35 COLTRANE (NAP), Race 7: 18.05 Stormy Sea, Race 8: 18.35 Kitai.

BEVERLEY: Race 1: 15.00 Isle Of Wolves, Race 2: 15.35 Grand Duchess Olga, Race 3: 16.10 Expert Choice, Race 4: 16.45 Band Of Joy, Race 5: 17.20 Impressor, Race 6: 17.55 First Greyed.

YARMOUTH: Race 1: 15.25 Streaky Bay, Race 2: 16.00 Knewone, Race 3: 16.35 True Courage, Race 4: 17.10 Afloat, Race 5: 17.45 Shabs, Race 6: 18.20 Twilight Jazz, Race 7: 18.55 Enchanted Night.

WORCESTER: Race 1: 18.30 Heros De Moutiers, Race 2: 19.00 My Gift To You, Race 3: 19.30 Zoran, Race 4: 20.05 The Height Of Fame, Race 5: 20.40 Our Nel, Race 6: 21.10 Cumhacht, Race 7: 21.45 Rubys Reward.

PERTH: Race 1: 19.20 VE Day, Race 2: 19.50 Champ De Gane, Race 3: 20.25 Presentandcounting, Race 4: 21.00 Throne Hall, Race 5: 21.30 Sword Of Fate, Race 6: 22.00 Just Dottie.

ALL TO COME: Streaky Bay (Yarmouth, Race 1) and Coltrane (Goodwood, Race 6).