Goodwood prize can be capital gain for Williams’ London
LONDON Prize can pick up top honours in the Maywal Handicap at Goodwood.
The six-year-old proved a revelation for trainer Ian Williams earlier in the year, capturing the Imperial Hurdle at Sandown, and while he was out of the frame at Ayr and Haydock subsequently, there is little doubt he is an improved performer.
Interestingly, connections were at pains after his Sandown strike to talk of bigger and better things ahead on the Flat, and he does hold an entry in the Northumberland Plate, which backs up those thoughts.
A rating of 84 on the level is still workable and he goes particularly well with plenty of cut in the ground.
Backers of Fredricka ought to get a good run for their money in the CSS Seismic Sweepstake Handicap.
The six-year-old was just touched off at Newcastle on her first run for Chris Dwyer, possibly just being found out by the sixth furlong.
She has won at that distance but is more effective at the minimum trip, so it is encouraging to see her dropping back, even if it is off a 1lb higher mark.
Silver Ghost can have a big say in the Sutton Winson Backing The NSPCC Handicap.
The four-year-old grey turned in a fine effort at Sandown last month when he was not beaten far by the useful Boycie in a mile-and-threefurlong handicap.
Ghinia finished third that day, but she was four-and-a-half lengths away so that perhaps shows how well Silver Ghost actually did in Esher.
The son of Dark Angel has gone up 3lb for this, but that is not insurmountable and it also helps that Eve Johnson Houghton’s team are in sparkling form.
Confessional could be a value call in the Merlin Inflatables UK Handicap at Nottingham.
Tim Easterby’s veteran struggled in a hot race at York last time, but he had previously looked in good order on his seasonal return at Chester. The son of Dubawi is not getting any quicker, but he is a tough and reliable sort who will find this easier than when aggressively campaigned in a clutch of big-race sprints last season.
Uae Queen might be a shorty in the Lexus Nottingham Maiden Fillies’ Stakes but the 450,000 guineas yearling purchase ran well enough on her racecourse bow to suggest she will be winning races, and Roger Varian has his string in good shape.
Only Mine would not be winning out of turn in the TRM Ballyogan Stakes at the Curragh.
Joe Murphy’s likeable filly has won before at this grade and looks in good enough nick to go two places better than in last season’s renewal – especially as the ground will not be as quick.
She stuck at it in good style over this course and distance last month, when second in the Group Two Greenlands Stakes, and is primed for another bold bid under Gary Carroll.