31st July 2012
Goodwood Betting: Hannon and Hughes to play thier Ace in Molecomb at Glorious Goodwood
3.45 Goodwood: Bet365 Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) (5f)
After a couple of withdrawals we have ten runners lining up for the third group race on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood. The Molecomb Stakes is for 2yo’s over 5f and was originally a race for fillies but nowadays its open to all horses and this year we have six colts and four fillies taking their chance. Last year was a race that bucked the trends with Requinto winning for Ireland, previously the Irish had ignored this contest and in fact he was their first runner since 2005 that had made the journey across the sea.
This year Tommy Stack sends over Dylanbaru with last years winning rider Wayne Lordon on board and he’s a 9/1 shot with BetVictor to double up. Dylanbaru won at Dundalk back in April but his best performance was at Royal Ascot when he was third to Hototo in the Windsor Castle Stakes, he stayed on well that day and should get further in time. Hototo turns up once again and since his Ascot win he has been beaten into third behind Body And Soul in the big sales race at Newbury. He will appreciate the better underfoot conditions here and remains a useful sort. Bungle Inthejungle was fourth at Ascot after leading to the final furlong, he has since been beaten in a group race in France and is not one to dismiss lightly despite his big price.
Favourite for the race is Morawij trained by Roger Varian. He opened his account at Haydock on his debut and then was a good fourth to Reckless Abandon in the Norfolk Stakes, he has since won a listed contest at Sandown very easily and looks above average and has the highest rating in the field with a mark of 103. Just one pound behind him is the filly Jadanna from the James Given yard. She won her first two starts including the Hilary Needler at Beverley and then was 5th at Ascot to Ceiling Kitty in the Queen Mary. Last time she was third at Newmarket over 6f in soft ground but the second horse Maureen has franked the form since and this step back in trip on better ground will suit her.
Richard Hannon has won this race on a few occasions so knows what it takes and he has two runners this year. Lyric Ace was highly regarded early on in the season but a poor effort at Ascot and then only 7th to Body And Soul last time has given him some questions to answer now. I think we can forgive the Ascot run as the Hannon horses were below par that week and last time was in heavy ground so maybe he can bounce back with no apparent excuses this time. Their other runner is Dominate, lightly raced with only two starts in his career and both on soft ground, he looks worth his place in the line up but has to improve on what he has shown us so far to trouble some of these rivals.
Decent renewal of the Molecomb Stakes and easy to see why Morawij is the market leader, his run at Ascot was a good effort although he didn’t have to beat much last time at Sandown and he looks plenty short enough for me. The Hannon team are in better form now and Lyric Ace could show us what he’s made of at last after excuses the last twice. The top one Bungle Inthejungle looks too big at 16/1 for Mick Channon as is an each way alternative.
Selections:
2pts Lyric Ace 8/1 Stan James
1pt EW Bungle Inthejungle 16/1 Ladbrokes
- Register at Stan James
Author: Ray Singpost
