Goodwood betting: Angel can fly in the King George Stakes
Watching back a replay of last year’s Qatar King George Stakes, it’s impossible not to be impressed by William Haggas’s Muthmir.
The son of Invincible Spirit carried a penalty to victory that day and won with a little bit more in hand than the eventual winning margin of just a head implies.
He lines up unpenalised on the Sussex Downs on Friday (3.45pm) on his favoured fast surface with his stable in red-hot form.
What’s not to like about his chances?
The truth is very little and he will undoubtedly go very close once more, but I’m siding with EASTON ANGEL who finished narrowly ahead of him at York last time.
The three-year-old filly looks to be a sprinter going places and she was only just pipped in the shadows of the post last time having looked all over the winner at the furlong pole.
She relishes fast ground and the big field with a bit more cover should also play to her strengths.
Marsha, who beat both my selection and Muthmir that day, heads the betting and is another extremely talented filly.
Her supporters will more than likely be confident that she can hold off that pair once more and land the hat-trick.
She will certainly go close, but I can’t help but feel she slightly mugged Easton Angel last time.
I’m putting my faith in Michael Dods’s filly this afternoon at 7/1 with Betway, who are offering money back as a free bet in this race if your horse finishes second.
Kevin Ryan’s Goken can go well again having found no luck in-running at both Royal Ascot and in the July Cup. The 14/1 is a fair price, as is the 16/1 about last year’s runner-up Take Cover.
David Griffiths’ nine-year-old seems to come alive here and boasts impressive form figures of 212.
The biggest betting race of the day is the Betfred Mile (3.10pm), although the market suggests this year’s renewal might not be as wide open as usual.
Franklin D absolutely bolted up in a Newmarket handicap a few weeks ago and lines up here with just a 3lb penalty for that emphatic six-length victory.
With the ground in his favour, Ryan Moore booked to ride and with a favoured low draw, it is no surprise to see that he is a best-priced 7/2 with Betway.
The reality is that he will probably win, but I’m going to take him on with a couple at bigger prices.
AZRAFF looked useful when walking away with the mile handicap at Newbury back in May and followed that up with a good run when fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup.
I’m prepared to forgive him a poor run over 10 furlongs at York last time and think he can go well again back at a mile on a sound surface.
At 14/1 with Paddy Power he looks a sensible value alternative to the short-priced favourite.
Finally, at a much bigger price, I’m going to take a bit of a flyer with Andrew Balding’s top weight HERE COMES WHEN at 25/1 with Coral.
This time last year he finished fourth behind Solow in the Sussex Stakes and on his best form he could eat this lot for breakfast.
His handicap mark has collapsed and Joshua Bryan is booked to take off another valuable 7lbs.
Pointers
Azraff e/w, 3.10pm Goodwood
Here Comes When e/w, 3.10pm Goodwood
Easton Angel e/w, 3.45pm Goodwood