Charlie Hills: Goodwood is absolutely tailormade for Battaash

We’ve got another busy few days with runners at Goodwood as well the start of the new William Hill Racing League, where we’ve got some nice chances too. Here’s a look at a handful.

Goodwood Thursday

We run two in the nursery handicap (4.10pm) in the shape of Mayfair Stroll and Vaynor. The former ran really nicely at Lingfield last time, and she’s been put up nine pounds for that so we’re turning her out pretty quickly under a six-pound penalty. She’s come out of that race well and we’d like to think she’s on the up. The step up to seven looks to have eked out improvement and hopefully she’ll go well, although it’s clearly a competitive race.

Vaynor makes his first start in a handicap and I’m hopeful he’s quite well-handicapped off a mark of 68. He’s a big scopey horse who should make into a lovely three-year-old and he looks to have an each-way chance.

Newcastle Thursday 

It’s the first night of the William Hill Racing League and I, like many, am really looking forward to it. It’s a bit of a shame I can’t make the first night as I’ll be at Goodwood, but I’m hoping to be at the majority to support my team. We’ve put plenty of planning into it, so hopefully it pays off and we can make a good start on Thursday.

We kick things off with Spoof in race one (6.25pm). He doesn’t seem to like those turning tracks, so Newcastle should suit him better. He’s only three pounds higher than his last winning mark now and has a chance from a nice draw.

Royal Musketeer takes his chance in race two (6.55pm). He ran really well last time at Haydock and also won on the all-weather in the past. A stiff six should suit and I’m hopeful he’ll be involved.

We run Dulas in race three (7.25pm). He won nicely at Goodwood in May, but hasn’t quite gone on from that. We’ve been a bit disappointed with him, so we’re putting cheekpieces on him which should help him concentrate a bit more. He’s a talented horse, so let’s hope the headgear has the desired effect.

Finally Menai Bridge goes in race four (7.55pm). I think the track will suit him really well and I’ve been really pleased with him at home since his win at Doncaster last time. All of these races are very competitive, but he’s the one I’d probably be most hopeful of.

Goodwood Friday

Battaash day. I’m just really looking forward to running him now. We’re all really happy with him ahead of his attempt at winning the King George (3.35pm) for a fifth time. A draw in stall three is good and hopefully the ground will continue to dry out ahead of Friday. Goodwood is absolutely tailormade for him as he’s shown in the past and I can’t wait to run him.

Dragon Symbol looks our main challenger and he’s clearly a very good horse. He gets the three-year-old allowance too, but we’re very happy with Battaash and he’s the one they’ve all got to beat.

Goodwood Saturday

Motagally lines up in the Stewards’ Cup (3.40pm) and we’re just hoping the ground continues to dry out. We all know how competitive a race this is, and you do need to have plenty in hand to take it, but the horse is in good form and ran well at Beverely last time behind Caspian Prince.

We also run Fantasy Believer in the apprentice handicap (4.45pm). He’s run well at Goodwood before and is another who could go well off a mark of 89. Marco Ghiani takes the ride and he’s had a super season, so let’s hope this one can keep the run going!

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