Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill Blog: Glorious Goodwood Day Two Best Bets
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck is back with his best bets from day 2 of Glorious Goodwood.
Wednesday, Goodwood
SEA AND SUN looks like one from the old school Johnston playbook in the opener at Goodwood on Day 2 (1.50pm). Only fourth to Hatteen at Doncaster, he was rather poorly positioned that day before staying on nicely. Under today’s rider, you can bet that he’ll be rolling along much handier, particularly given this is likely to be a minimum trip for him. He’s well worth an interest each way at decent odds.
FAST TRACK makes appeal at the prices in the Alice Keppell (2.25pm). She had a nice confidence booster in the first-time tongue tie at Beverley, again rather leaving the impression that she was asked to race against her natural free flowing game at Royal Ascot. Letting fly on this speed track could easily see her in a very good light.
PLANET SEEKER is the pick in the Oak Tree (3.00pm). She was pretty impressive in a really tidy fillies’ handicap on the July Course, drawing right away, and has stages form as a juvenile to add to the view that she belongs in this grade. The draw hasn’t been too unkind, and she can run another big race, with plenty of pace to draw her into the race.
CROWNBREAKER is the narrow vote in the Molecomb (3.35pm). Essentially, she comes out of Royal Ascot a very similar filly to Pershaada, but is a much bigger price, has progressed since and comes from a yard going much better now.
OPERA BALLO is a horse for whom I have the utmost regard, and I think he can better the three-year-olds in a truly absorbing edition of the Sussex Stakes (4.10pm). He showed monstrous ability, albeit in defeat, at Royal Ascot, and it is inconceivable that he won’t be much better suited to the turning mile here. Bow Echo is an outstanding colt, not short of real pace, while Gstaad looks about the toughest horse in training. But Opera Ballo could get nice use of one of the Coolmore pacemakers here, and just about get the run of the race.
HAWKSBILL is a bit of an educated guess in the last (5.20pm). He’s not been running terribly well, including on his first start back off a break for this yard, but he’s just really dangerously handicapped now, and was a fine second to Amiloc on his only previous start at this venue. This isn’t the most competitive race of the week, and it looks a decent opportunity.
