Unlucky horses at Goodwood are as common as delayed trains - here are seven to follow who could catch a break next time

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I was minded to write a list of 'The Most Unlucky Horses At Goodwood' but jeez, what a task that would be. There were so many runners last week who met mid-race trouble of some kind, while some were unlucky in other ways, with the timing of the rain or the pace of the race.

How much value lies in noticing that a horse has been unlucky at Glorious Goodwood? It's a bit like noticing a train was delayed - not exactly as rare as one would like. And why should it be different next time?

So I looked for horses who might reasonably be expected to fare better at other tracks in the coming months. I'm not claiming these seven should have won last week but, in my eyes, they showed ability in difficult circumstances - hopefully, not in such an obvious way that everyone will be piling on next time.

Did I miss any good ones? Write and tell me at frontrunner@racingpost.com.

Defiance

All the way back at lunchtime last Tuesday, the Glorious meeting began with the Chesterfield Cup. This four-year-old from the Roger Varian yard was a strong-finishing third, doing easily best of those who did not race prominently from the start. 

From his draw in 17 of 18, he did quite a bit of early work just to get into midfield. Unlike the two who beat him, he didn't get daylight until the final 300 yards, at which point he fairly flew, narrowly failing to snatch second.

He'd also kept on well into fourth in a Derby weekend handicap, also at 1m2f. Those have been his only two runs since he was gelded last summer, having been last in the King Edward VII won by Calandagan.

Stepping back up to 1m4f might work but he can win at 1m2f if he can be found circumstances that don't favour prominent racers. Basically, no more Epsom or Goodwood, please.

There were so many runners last week who met mid-race trouble of some kindCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Atlantis Blue

In a finish dominated by unexposed youngsters, this six-year-old mare ran her best race for years to be second. While the winner of this mile handicap got clear sailing from a handy early position, she was held up and met trouble when trying to go through the pack.

One rival bumped her and then seemed to lean on her for quite a few strides before Atlantis Blue was able to leave her behind. She couldn't match the winner's pace but was comfortably best of the rest.

George Baker's mare had won over 1m1f on her previous start and she's still in the form of her life. She also seems versatile as to ground. 

Racingbreaks Ryder

Another who was held up in rear from a wide draw, this time over 7f, Racingbreaks Ryder ran on to good effect to be seventh. I don't suppose he caught many eyes and, even if he did, a five-year-old who's had 30 runs is not going to leap into a lot of trackers.

But this was an encouraging run with a view to his autumn campaign. Four of his five wins have come on soft, including at Catterick last October. When it comes up mud, good things can happen.

Hymnbook

In the late stages of a 1m2f handicap, Rab Havlin had a good look for running room on this one but found none. It's easy to spot the bit where Havlin has to rein back because he suddenly looms bolt upright, towering over the others. Eventually, he steers wide but it's too late to build up any momentum as the eventual first three sweep past. Hymnbook was a plugging-on tenth.

A three-year-old with Sean Woods, Hymnbook was having just his second handicap start. A line can go through it and he will probably be in calmer waters next time, when the duck egg in his form line should shore up his odds. I'd favour going back to a mile.

On his handicap debut, he was beaten a nose by Knights Gold at Ascot, an excellent effort. Knights Gold was an unlucky third in a different race at Goodwood and probably went in so many notebooks that he can't be a value price next time. But Hymnbook could be.

Sea Of Kings

This three-year-old takes a bit of organising and needs time to build up momentum. Making his handicap debut last week, he started slowly, not for the first time, but built up a head of steam in the straight to be fifth of 13 over 1m3f.

Harry Eustace described him before the race as "a work in progress" and hoped he could be a lovely horse next year. But he showed easily enough ability to make him of interest in any races he runs this term. A bit of cut in the ground will be no problem.

Racingbreaks Ryder: one to watch on soft groundCredit: Alex Davidson (Getty Images)

Stressfree

This was one of those times where the horse is out the back, on the wing, looking like a coiled spring ready to bounce forward into any space that should open. A gap seems bound to open eventually - but it never does, at least not until after he's dropped out the back of the telly.

Held up in rear in the Summer Handicap, Stressfree must have made a bit of progress after the camera moved away, to judge from his finishing position. But he never had a chance to show what he could do.

The five-year-old has been progressive this year and, while this run may look like a setback in his form line, it can be ignored. To me, this first try at 1m6f gave modest encouragement that the distance will suit him when he gets a clear run at a more galloping track.

Montpellier

Dropped in from a wide draw over 7f, this lightly raced three-year-old got some luck with gaps up the inner but also showed courage and some tactical speed in taking them. 

He was a closing fourth at the line and there are clearly races to be won with him. Even so, I wouldn't want him to come up against runner-up Dance In The Storm next time - that filly came from even further back and breezed straight past him. But she was only beaten a nose and will be popular wherever she goes from here. Montpellier will hopefully have a lower profile.

Read these next:

Group 1s across the continent, juvenile stars, the Shergar Cup and classy midweek action offers something for everyone 

Hugo Palmer reflects on a stunning purple patch and confirms international aim for Goodwood winner Seagulls Eleven 

Wathnan bounce back from underwhelming Goodwood - and now set their sights on another Group 1 with Royal Ascot star Lazzat 

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Racing Post+ subscribers. Chris Cook provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Racing Post+ subscriber? Join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.