2020 Goodwood Day 1 Tips by Dave Stevos

We had an okay day on Day 1 at the Galway festival. Rebel Step (16/1) and Grandmaster Flash (20/1) both managed to place for us. At War and She’s A Babe both ran respectably but got ran out of the places close to home. Lariat, Rattling Jewel and Simply True were never sighted and all three disappointed. Glorious Goodwood gets underway on Tuesday and it promises to be an unbelievable week of racing. Dave Stevos’ will be posting his Galway Day 2 tips tomorrow. You can check out his 2020 Goodwood Day 1 tips below…

Day 1 Goodwood Selections: 1.45pm – Unibet Handicap (Class 2)

18 go to post in the first live race of the day on ITV from Goodwood, a 10f handicap. This really does look like a minefield and I am going to back two each way. We backed my first fancy last time at Newbury and Walkinthesand ran a blinder in that Listed race. He looked like going backwards but he stayed on very nicely late in the day to finish 5th, 3L behind the winner. He ran in a handicap here last season and he was far from disgraced off 110. Now 2lb lower, he looks sure to run a big race at odds of 28/1.

We were also on my next selection last time out when he ran respectably at York. Nicholas T was given too much to do that day but he kept on pretty well when the gaps arrived . The handicapper dropped him 2lb to 98 for that run so he is now just 2lb above his last winning mark. Jim Goldie’s charge has yet to run at Goodwood but he is the type of horse it could suit. Clearly he will need plenty of luck in running but if things fall into place he could run big. At odds of 50/1 Nicholas T is worth a small each way investment.

2020 Goodwood Day 1 Tips: Walkinthesand e/w @ 28/1; Nicholas T E/W @ 50/1 (Both 6 places)

2020 Goodwood Day 1 Tips: 2.15pm – Vintage Stakes (Group 2)

This 7f Group 2 for 2yos looks like it will be run at a pretty decent clip. The one I’ll be backing at a decent price in this is Gortyus for Richard Fahey and Tom Marquand. This colt made a very pleasing debut at York (7f gd), beating a couple of horses with experience (including a previous winner). It took a while for the penny to drop but when it did he stayed on nicely to get up in the dying strides by a head.

Whatever he does this year he looks like he will stay further in time but for now, 7f looks ideal. He has a lovely pedigree, being by Footstepsinthesand and out of a Teofilo half sister to a 7f Group 3 winner. He will need to step up on his last run but he is entitled to improve on that first outing. If they go quick early it should bring his stamina into play and at odds of 22/1 Gortyus is the e/w pick.

2020 Goodwood Day 1 Tips: Gortyus E/W @ 22/1

ITV Live Selections: 2.45pm – Lennox Stakes (Group 2)

13 will go to post in this 7f Group 2 heat. It looks a very competitive renewal and Space Blues and Safe Voyage head the market. They finished 1-2 in that order in a Listed heat at Haydock earlier this year, a neck separating them. Both won their next outings and they look sure to be in the firing line again. However, given his stellar record at this track it is hard to ignore the claims of Duke Of Hazzard.

This son of Lope De Vega saves his best for Goodwood where he has a 100% record. He has won 3 races from 3 starts, an 8f Group 2, an 8f Group 3 and a 7f handicap. Goodwood is a quirky track and previous course form is a massive plus. Duke Of Hazzard shaped well behind Mohaather at Ascot last time and connections have opted for this rather than the Sussex Stakes. Their decision could be rewarded with a big run and at odds of 13/2 Duke Of Hazzard looks overpriced.

2020 Goodwood Day 1 Tips: Duke Of Hazzard e/w @ 13/2 NAP

2020 Goodwood Day 1 Tips: 3.15pm – Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1)

The first Group 1 of the week at Goodwood is the 2 mile Goodwood Cup. Only 7 go to post and it makes limited appeal as a betting heat. Stradivarius produced a career best on soft ground last time at Ascot, hosing up by 10L (20f sft). This drop back in trip should pose no problems and the good ground will suit too. He has already won this race three times and a fourth looks on the cards. Santiago looks his closest rival and Eagles By Day is another interesting runner. However, with just 2 places on offer I’ll sit this one out. No bet.

2020 Goodwood Day 1 Tips: No Bet

ITV Live Selections: Goodwood 3.45pm – Qatar Handicap (Class 2)

Off a mark of 97 Ornate looks capable of producing a big performance in this 5f sprint handicap. This 7yo sprinter hit form big style last season, winning at Epsom off 99 and then a class 3 conditions heat at Beverley. He then followed that up with a superb run here in a Group 2, attempting to make all over 5f in a race won by Battaash. He finished 3rd, 3L behind the winner and a repeat of that would surely see him go close here.

David Griffiths’ charge was running a nice race last time at Ascot when hampered. Previously he was beat 1.5L by Caspian Prince at Newcastle and he is now 6lb better off with that rival. Phil Dennis gets on famously with Ornate and has ridden for his last three wins. He is 2lb lower than for his big handicap win at Epsom, he handles the track and he is drawn to attack in stall 4. At odds of 16/1 with 4 places available, Ornate is the e/w pick.

2020 Goodwood Day 1 Tips: Ornate e/w @ 16/1 NB (4 Places Skybet)