Can front-runner Noble Dynasty make all from a perfect draw in stall three?

Friday: 3.00 Goodwood
Coral Golden Mile Handicap | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

A low draw is simply a must in this competitive mile handicap. All the last ten winners bar one – Wentworth in 2013 – were drawn in single figures and in the last two years only one horse from a double-figure stall has finished in the first four, and that horse came from 11.

The low-draw advantage over seven furlongs and a mile appears to be exaggerated on Friday and Saturday because of the change in course configuration. There is a false rail and a cutaway in operation on the first three days of the festival but that disappears for the last two.

Therefore, horses who can get a good early position are often able to stay there and runners forced to drop in from a wide draw tend to find their path blocked when challenging.

Hot favourite Noble Dynasty couldn’t have done much better in the draw stakes. He will come from stall three and that is the same gate from which three winners – Master The World, Seniority and Beat Le Bon – emerged between 2017 and 2019. Noble Dynasty’s prominent running style is also ideal for this.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old made all in a handicap at the July meeting on his last start and gets a 3lb penalty for that win. He has gone up 9lb and is therefore 6lb well in.

Noble Dynasty looks sure to make a bold bid from the front and he has been helped by some rotten draws for his main rivals. The well-fancied Jimi Hendrix (21) and Shining Blue (20) will need luck in running to be competitive.

Bigger dangers might come from better draws and Rebel Territory (nine) has fared well on that score, while the consistent Blue For You couldn’t have done any better in stall one.

Amanda Perrett is a local trainer and she would no doubt have had this in mind for Rebel Territory since his win at Sandown last time. The fact he missed Royal Ascot is a tip itself.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

O'Meara going all out in multiple assault

David O’Meara saddles his biggest team in this £150,000 handicap and feels the well-drawn Blue For You has the best chance from stall one.

O’Meara was successful with 3-1 favourite Prompting two years ago and last year’s quintet included the reopposing runner-up Rhoscolyn, third Escobar and sixth Orbaan.

He said: “It’s good prize-money that stands out in the calendar. We seem to have quite a few milers in the yard and owners like going to Goodwood, so why not have a go?

“The draw is key down there and Blue For You [stall one] has fared best. He’s run well at York the last twice and we’d be hopeful he’ll go well. He’d be our best chance given the draw.

“Rhoscolyn is back down to the mark he was second off last year and didn’t run too badly at Ascot last time. Goodwood suits him better but the draw [stall 18] is tricky, while Escobar [stall 19] has a big task from out there but likes the track.

“Orbaan [stall two] would prefer slower ground. He ran well enough last week at Ascot and this trip will suit him better. Young Fire [stall five] comes into his own on soft ground but does have form on quicker ground and it’s a shot at good prize-money. Shelir [stall 22] will have improved a lot for his return at York.”

What they say

Harry Charlton, joint-trainer of Sinjaari
We were gutted he didn’t win the Hunt Cup and felt he might have done with a lower draw. The draw could well be key in this and stall ten isn’t too bad, while some of the fancied runners might have it tough with higher draws. He needs a pace to aim at, so hopefully this will suit.

Clive Cox, trainer of Positive
He’s been off for a very long time and surely going to improve for the run, but I’m very happy with him and he’s been training really well. He’s been giving us good vibes in the last few weeks. We held him in really high regard a couple of years ago.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Saleymm
He won well at York and is slightly well in, so this looked a very suitable option for him. He’s equally adept over seven furlongs or a mile and if he improves again he should be in the mix.

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Shining Blue
The draw [stall 20] doesn't look good but hopefully Pat [Cosgrave] has some luck and is able to get a nice handy position. He's an improving horse, he's shown some class and I like him.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Noble Dynasty
I was delighted with him at Newmarket. It was an impressive win given the weight he was carrying and he came out of the race very well. He takes a nice bit of experience into what is always a very competitive handicap.

Tom Ward, trainer of The Turpinator
He's in good shape and improving. He won last time out here and loves the track. He's very lightly raced for a five-year-old and the step up to a mile should suit.

Karl Burke, trainer of Eilean Dubh
He's in great form. I think he'll love the track and has a nice chance.

Jimi Hendrix (left): will have to overcome a high draw in stall 21Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Emma Spencer, managing director of Chelsea Thoroughbreds, owners of Jimi Hendrix
He’s progressive, very tough and versatile, which will come in handy given his draw [stall 21] is not ideal. He was entered in the ten-furlong handicap and will step up in trip in time but he’s 3lb well in with his penalty here and there’s great prize-money on offer.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Lawful Command
He loves Goodwood and it has always been on his radar. He ran a good race at Newmarket the other day and the ground is probably going to suit him better.
Reporting by Jack Haynes

Friday previews:

1.50 Goodwood: Can stayer named after Jack Grealish provide Villa owner-breeder with big win?

2.25 Goodwood: Norwegian and German raiders lay siege to Britain's Thoroughbred stronghold

3.35 Goodwood: Appleby confident 'the best I've trained' Raasel can emerge as new sprinting ace

6.00 Galway: Blazers banker? 'She's much better over fences than hurdles. I fancy her'

6.35 Galway: More Mullins domination? Baby Zeus out to improve on last year's fourth

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