Naqeeb the Foundation of Goodwood success

By Chris Phillips, Press Association

Naqeeb can benefit from the drop back into Listed company and successfully defend his crown in the Virgin Bet Foundation Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.

The Julie Camacho-trained six-year-old signed off last season when heading Ancient Wisdom by a neck on the Sussex Downs, form that has a smart look to it with subsequent Group One winner Saddadd back in third.

He reappeared at Ascot in May, where he was fifth to Jonquil over a mile, but back up to a mile and a quarter he found only Boiling Point a short head too good in the Festival Stakes at Goodwood.

After that he was back down in trip again as he tried Group Two company in the Summer Mile and Celebration Mile. While not disgraced in either of those, his best form has come over a mile and a quarter and back at his favoured distance he can get back on track.

Skylar has the chance to get his nose in front at the second time of asking in the Juddmonte EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes.

The Charlie Johnston-trained Australia colt debuted at Haydock where he led but was outpaced in the final furlong, coming home a three-and-three-quarter-length third to Burning Up, who has won again since.

Now upped to nine furlongs, Skylar sets a decent standard for potentially smart newcomer Henrik Ibsen to aim at.

Richard Spencer might have found the right spot for Zigazig Ah and Saffie Osborne to strike in the British EBF £100,000 2YO Fillies’ Series Final.

The daughter of Rajasinghe followed up a Yarmouth victory with a nose success in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury.

Fourth at the Glorious meeting here, she only had Night In Vegas in front of her in a big sales race at Newmarket but could never really get on terms in a similar event won by the latter at Doncaster.

Jamie Snowden does not send out many horses on the level but Hope Rising will go in search of a five-timer in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Fillies’ Handicap.

After switching from hurdles with a three-length fourth place at Bath in July she followed up at Lingfield in August.

Stepped up to two miles at Nottingham, she came home 19 lengths clear of the field and demonstrated versatility with a 24-length victory over a mile and a half at Chepstow.

A fourth consecutive victory on the all-weather at Lingfield followed earlier this month and despite a step up in grade and 7lb rise in the weights she can deliver.

Over the jumps, Tamarind Bay can double up in the Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow David Whitaker Handicap Chase at Perth.

Mickey Bowen’s six-year-old coasted to a pair of 16-length midsummer victories at Stratford and Uttoxeter, before unseating when travelling well at this track in July.

Stepped up to three miles for the first time earlier this month at Bangor he obliged by four lengths from Dan Skelton’s Thickthorn Tom and can defy the 9lb rise in the hands of the trainer’s brother, James.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings:

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

GOODWOOD: Race 1: 14.30 Skylar, Race 2: 15.05 Plaid, Race 3: 15.40 Darkness, Race 4: 16.15 NAQEEB (NAP), Race 5: 16.50 Zigazig Ah, Race 6: 17.25 Hope Rising, Race 7: 18.00 Sound And Vision.

REDCAR: Race 1: 14.47 Hope Of Acklam, Race 2: 15.22 Empress Princess, Race 3: 15.57 The Can Can Man, Race 4: 16.32 Sheikhnshah, Race 5: 17.07 Rizal, Race 6: 17.41 Sergeant Mayer, Race 7: 18.17 Night Emperor.

PERTH: Race 1: 15.12 Jet Of Stars, Race 2: 15.47 Hidden Fortune, Race 3: 16.22 Follow Charlie, Race 4: 16.57 Tamarind Bay, Race 5: 17.32 Delgany Second Now, Race 6: 18.07 Forest Spirit.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 17.20 Kodiac City, Race 2: 17.55 Pure Concept, Race 3: 18.30 Sunshine And Roses, Race 4: 19.00 Show Me Glory, Race 5: 19.30 Iconic Dawn, Race 6: 20.00 Whitesnake, Race 7: 20.30 Manly Fireball, Race 8: 21.00 Joseph, Race 9: 21.30 Divot.

DOUBLE: Naqeeb and Zigazig Ah (Goodwood Races 3 and 4).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za