Fast Steps
Richard Hannon shares his thoughts on his Thursday runners at Goodwood
1:50 Unibet ’15 To Go’ Handicap
Dingle (Jimmy Quinn)
I’ve been looking forward to stepping him up in trip because he looks as though he could improve for the extra couple of furlongs, although both times we’ve declared him over 1m2f we’ve had to pull him out due to the going, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on the weather, but he’s a very talented horse who works over absolutely everything at home, including Chindit and Snow Lantern, but is yet to really show it on the track, however, if things go his way I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him go very close.
Fast Steps (Sam Hitchcott)
He’s a smart little colt by Footstepsinthesand who has done nothing wrong in all four starts and ran very well at Newbury last time when not really getting much luck. This is only his second run in a Handicap and he’s probably rated high enough for what he’s actually achieved but he’ll like the ground and has won around Epsom so shouldn’t have any issues with the track and I can see him going well.
2:25 G2 Unibet Richmond Stakes
Gubbass (Sean Levey)
I love this colt and wasn’t surprised to see him make a winning debut and follow up with success in the Super Sprint because he’s always shown plenty of ability at home and I think he could end up top notch. He’s entered in all the big races later this season so will need to perform very well here to go for races like the Gimcrack but his sire, Mehmas, won this race so he’s certainly bred to win and I’m extremely hopeful.
4:10 Nursery Handicap
Ardbraccan (Sean Levey)
She’s was very good visually at Newmarket last time in a Maiden and she’s a filly who continues to improve. This will be her first start in a Nursery but I think her mark is fair and hopefully there is still plenty more to come. She’s got to prove she’ll handle the ground but she gets this trip well so is a very worthy favourite.
South Audley (Pat Dobbs)
She’s got a similar profile to Ardbraccan in the fact she’s improving all the time and was very impressive at Nottingham the last day. She won going away so I’m pretty confident she’ll get the extra furlong and if she handles the ground she has every chance.
4:45 Fillies’ Stakes
Helene (Pat Dobbs)
She’s put up two very good efforts in defeat at Newbury and I think now is about the right time to see her get her head in front. It would be great for her owner Julie Wood who has been a very loyal supporter of the yard for so many years and originally owned Olympic Glory who is the sire of this filly, so we shouldn’t have any concerns ground wise and the step up in trip will help.
Isemel (Rossa Ryan)
She has to step up considerably on what she’s shown in two starts so far and I would imagine she’ll probably be a more serious betting proposition in Handicaps.