Back Bow to hit Sussex target
It has not been smooth sailing for the Classic generation since the summer opened up to all aged affairs but Bow Echo can strike a blow to rebalance the books in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.
Aside from Constitution River in the Eclipse, three-year-olds have struggled to make an impact so far with the Falmouth, Pretty Polly at the Curragh, the July Cup and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes all been landed by older horses.
No one is saying the Classic bunch are duds just yet though, particularly after Benvenuto Cellini held up well at Ascot in the King George, and in Bow Echo, we might just be talking about the best of the lot.
George Boughey’s stable star was as good a winner of the 2000 Guineas as you could have wished, streaking home 2.75-lengths in front of Gstaad.
While the Aidan O’Brien horse narrowed that to a short head at Royal Ascot in the St James’s Palace Stakes, the selection had to overcome early trouble in running and then probably hit the front too soon in the straight.
The fight he showed to hold the runner-up was pleasing and while there is clearly not much between them Bow Echo might prove better suited to the track here in Sussex.
Hatteen could not have found things easier than when winning a St Leger trial at Doncaster last time out and if he continues to improve could head back for the Classic itself.
A first dip into handicap company in the Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap will be a good test of such ambitions but an initial mark of 88 may not be enough to contain him, even in a strong looking field.
Pershaada was a comfortable winner of a novice event at Goodwood in May and did her reputation no harm at all in a strong renewal of the Queen Mary, finishing a 2.5-length fourth behind Victorious.
Everything that has come out of that race has boosted it with the second Senorita Bonita landing a Group Two, two Listed winners and a couple of winners at lower grades.
Against that backdrop, Pershaada’s fourth, keeping on on the stands side when the action was unfolding away from her, looks worth marking up. Throw in her course form and she looks the one to be on in Veuve Cliquot Molecomb Stakes.
Flora Of Bermuda has to give weight away in the Rolls-Royce Oak Tree Stakes but could be up to the task under James Doyle.
Andrew Balding’s five-year-old battled hard to land the Group Three Summer Stakes at York last time out over 1200m and was as strong at the line as anywhere so could improve for a first try at 1400m.
Star Material looks solid in the Racing TV Free Trial British Apprentice Handicap which kicks off Redcar’s card.
A decent if slightly inconsistent sprinter at two, he looked more professional on his first start since being gelded, running on well close home at Chepstow and he can go well for Conor Whiteley in what is turning into a breakthrough season.
At Galway, Will The Wise can land the valuable Tote Galway Plate for trainer Gavin Cromwell.
The seven-year-old, who has won here on the west coast over 800m shorter, is up 5lb for a convincing success in the Topham Chase over the Grand National fences and has been kept for this since. – Press Association
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.
GOODWOOD: Race 1: 14.50 Hatteen, Race 2: 15.25 Wild Blossom, Race 3: 16.00 Flora Of Bermuda, Race 4: 16.35 Pershaada, Race 5: 17.10 BOW ECHO (NAP), Race 6: 18.00 Calling A Star, Race 7: 18.40 Crimson Spirit
REDCAR: Race 1: 15.05 Star Material, Race 2: 15.40 Vanilla Skies, Race 3: 16.15 Leopards Rock, Race 4: 16.50 Sandy Craic, Race 5: 17.20 Valsharah, Race 6: 17.50 Tees George.
SANDOWN: Race 1: 18.45 Happy Banner, Race 2: 19.15 Justcallmepete, Race 3: 19.50 Lancaster Tower, Race 4: 20.25 Santiago Boy, Race 5: 21.00 Lady Milton, Race 6: 21.30 Outflank.
LEICESTER: Race 1: 18.55 Fairy Well, Race 2: 19.27 Amber Ocean, Race 3: 20.02 Moving Shadow, Race 4: 20.37 Von Krolock, Race 5: 21.10 Clocker, Race 6: 21.40 Spiritoftheblues.
DOUBLE: Pershaada and Bow Echo (Goodwood, Races 4 and 5).