Charlie Hills’ William Hill blog: Looking forward to running Saratoga Gold at Goodwood

We’ve got another busy weekend and hopefully we’ve got some nice chances. The horses continue to run well and with any luck things can continue over the next few days.

Goodwood Friday

We kick things off with Galeron in the novice stakes (1.00pm). He’s a lovely big horse who will only get better with time. I’ve been encouraged by what I’ve seen at home and although he’ll certainly come on for the run, he’s done nothing wrong so far. I’m looking forward to getting him out.

Next up is The Attorney in the seven-furlong handicap (2.45pm). It’s his first start of the season after enjoying a very consistent campaign last year and I’d be hopeful he can have another good one this time around. He’ll come forward from this, but we need to get a run into him as we’re looking at one of the Royal Ascot handicaps for him. The Buckingham Palace might be the one, but we’ll see how we go on Friday before making any firmer plans.

Inverness runs in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes (3.20pm) and I’m looking forward to stepping him up in trip. Hopefully the sun shines and the ground firms up a bit because he’s most at home on a sound surface. He didn’t run too badly at Epsom on his seasonal reappearance and hopefully he can strip a bit fitter here.

Our final runner on Friday at Goodwood is Saratoga Gold in the two-mile handicap (4.30pm). I’m really interested to see how he gets on over this trip because his last run suggested he should have no problems with the extra couple of furlongs. His breeding doesn’t suggest he should be running over these staying trips, but he seemed to relish it at the course last time and we thought it was worth giving it a go. I still think he’s well handicapped and I’m hopeful of a bold showing.

Goodwood Saturday

We run two in the fillies’ maiden (1.10pm) in Pending Appeal and Exertive.

Pending Appeal looks a nice filly to me and everything she has done so far has been of a decent standard, so I’m looking forward to seeing how she gets on. Exertive is another nice type and like the other filly, she’ll improve for the outing.

Vindolanda goes in the fillies’ handicap (4.00pm) and we’d like a bit of rain for her ideally. Her work has been great and she’s one we’re excited to get out. She looks as good as ever.