LIBRISA CAN BREEZE IT!

QATAR LENNOX STAKES CAN GO TO DEAN IVORY’S POPULAR GREY ON FIRST DAY OF GLORIOUS GOODWOOD

Librisa Breeze will relish the return to seven furlongs in the Qatar Lennox Stakes on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood tomorrow.

Dean Ivory’s grey won two hugely valuable pots over the intermediate distance at Ascot last season and this is the first time he will race over his favoured trip since the second of those.

That is not to say he has been running poorly over six furlongs. Far from it, in fact. He was beaten a little over three lengths at Ascot on Champions Day by The Tin Man and and got a length closer on his seasonal return in the Diamond Jubilee.

Given that was his first run of the year against topclass six-furlong specialists who were all race fit, it was a meritorious performance and probably he did not get the credit it warranted.

Having been second in the Hunt Cup at Ascot last season, he is showing his versatility and it takes a special horse to win two feature handicaps in a season, the second off 8lb higher.

There could be an argument to say he is better in a big field, so Ivory will be relieved 15 have been declared, but that does bring with it the problem of trouble in running, which has scuppered so many at Goodwood down the years.

Robert Winston has previously held him up well off the pace and, from his draw in stall 14, he is likely to need some fortune.

Back up in trip, there may be mileage in backing Dal Harraild each-way for William Haggas in the Goodwood Cup, despite the presence of favourite Big Orange.

Hugely impressive in a Listed race over a mile and three-quarters at York, he found himself back down at a mile and a half for the Hardwicke at Ascot. Trying to make the running, he just failed to quicken up close to home and was beaten four lengths by Idaho, who franked the form in the King George.

The Vintage Stakes can go to Mildenberger, who has looked smart in winning at Haydock and Newbury.