Nick Luck’s Blog: Nostrum could be a real tonic

Friday, Goodwood

TRONADOR gets the nod in the marathon opener to Friday’s Goodwood card (1.50pm) at 12/1. He’s a pretty useful hurdler without being anything special, and certainly has shown enough to suggest that he remains well handicapped on the Flat. He has plenty of soft ground form, and looks to be peaking just at the right time. The booking of Joe Fanning strongly suggests that he’ll make this a real test, which might inconvenience plenty of his rivals.

NOSTRUM looks hard to oppose in the Thoroughbred Stakes (2.25pm) at 8/13. While soft ground makes this more complex, he’s a powerful and genuine horse and made a really striking impression on his comeback. The price is short, but it will be disappointing if he’s defeated.

JOHAN is an each-way play at a huge price of 25/1 in the Golden Mile (3.00pm). He has loads of form on easy ground, and is often best caught fresh. In addition, he’s just a pound higher than when winning last year’s Lincoln, while all the draw balls are up in the air this week.

EQUALITY is a drop of value at 13/2 to put it up to Highfield Princess in the King George Stakes (3.35pm). While the favourite will be tough, Charlie Hills’s horse is rapidly developing into the sprinter that his reputation long suggested he might be. He was very impressive in the Sandown Group 3 that often throws up the winner of this race, and loves a bit of give underfoot.