Safety Check could spring mini surprise
Toormore and Dutch Connection dominate the market for today’s Qatar Lennox Stakes and understandably so given the bare l evel of their f orm this season.
The duo both arrive at Goodwood on the back of excellent performances, the former at royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes and the l atter i n France when touched off by Territories in the Prix Jean Prat.
Bookmakers have found it difficult to separate the duo, with both having solid course form and excellent claims should the ground on the downs dry out after a drenching at the weekend.
Howev e r, both had relatively hard races last t i me, especially Dutch Connection, and there could be some mileage in siding with SAFETY CHECK (Goodwood, nap, 3.10) who looks to have had this race as a target for some time.
The son of Dubawi was a revelation in the winter in Dubai where he graduated from a handicapper to a dual Group Two winner in the hands of William Buick.
Those performances were achieved with a degree of comfort, suggesting Safety Check was finally beginning to realise his early potential.
The selection ran at the track a year ago in a warm handicap over course and distance and caught the eye taking fourth having been last with two furlongs left.
At his morning odds, Safety Check is worth an interest to spring a mini surprise.
mark Johnston is always a trainer to be feared at this meeting and the middleham handler looks to have a strong hand in the opener with Fire Fighting, Zand and last year’s winner SENNOCKIAN STAR (Goodwood, 2.00).
The five-year- old’s form is inconsistent but he would not be the first Johnston horse to boast that profile.
NOTARISED (Goodwood, nb, 3.45) could give Johnston another Glorious Goodwood winner in the staying handicap as he usually races handily, an attribute which often pays dividends at this venue.