Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: In for a Classic day at Goodwood

CLASSIC can justify favoritism in Goodwood’s TV opener on Saturday (1.05pm). He’ll be short at 5/6, but he showed enormous promise on his debut and runners from the stable normally make good progress from first to second start.

MOKAAATIL is a bit of value at 8/1 against a skinny favourite in the Stewards’ Consolation race (1.40pm). He’s a little quirky but has conditions in his favour and ran an absolute blinder behind Raasel and Clarendon House last time he ran at this track.

SAM COOKE is not the most bankable, but he’s talented, and can get his head in front in the staying handicap (2.10pm) at 11/1. He did much the best of those who raced off the pace when trying this trip for the first time in ages at the July meeting. He stayed well, so might be ridden a little more handily with that in mind. He’s not exposed at this trip and loves this ground.

VIOLA is the each-way value in the Lilly Langtry (2.45pm) at 14/1. She’s not been that consistent, but she has three pieces of form that match her closely with favourite Sea La Rosa and was rather unlucky not to give her more of a race at Haydock two runs back. This trainer has a canny knack of turning handicappers into Group horses, and Viola has everything set up for a big run.

WHENTHEDEALINSDONE (8/1) is my idea of the Stewards’ Cup winner (3.20pm) where William Hill are playing a whopping eight places. He’s been running over five furlongs in the main, all the while looking in need of extra distance. Crucially, though, he looks in fine form, but is creeping down the handicap. He’s shown good form here on a slick surface and can go very well.

LASUDOOD gets another chance in the seven furlong handicap (9/1). He really impressed me at Doncaster two starts back in a race that’s worked out, and I’m convinced he’s well treated on that evidence. He seemed a bit listless and not really suited by a muddling race at Newmarket and he can put that behind him.