logo
Superlative chance for Italy to follow City Of Troy

Superlative chance for Italy to follow City Of Troy

Glasgow Times11-07-2025
Two years ago City Of Troy burst into the big-race picture when beating Haatem by over six lengths in this race – and the suggestions are that Italy could produce something similar.
The imposing Wootton Bassett colt eventually got going to win cosily on his debut at Leopardstown from Thesecretadversary, who franked the form by running well in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
O'Brien said: 'We're looking forward to him. He's a lovely horse, we think he's come forward from his maiden and we're looking forward to seeing what he'll do on Saturday.
'The horse that was second to him in Leopardstown was second in Ascot, so hopefully he'll run well.'
Saba Desert is one of two runners for Charlie Appleby and the once-raced Dubawi colt is the choice of William Buick.
Appleby has won the race five times since 2016, including last year with Ancient Truth.
'He won well at Sandown. It looks a good Superlative and as always it's full of potential, but he's a nice horse, he should have improved for Sandown and we'll know where we are come Saturday afternoon,' said Buick.
'Charlie always earmarks the Superlative as a race where he wants to run his nicer two-year-olds, so it's not hard to come to a conclusion that he's one of the nicer ones and he's only had the one run, so he's a horse that's got plenty of improvement left in him.
'He took on experienced horses at Sandown, I thought he did it very well and couldn't do any more than what he did.
'It looks a substantial field and the winner of the Superlative will always go on to do good things – you usually see them end up in the Dewhurst.'
Wild Desert is Appleby's other runner, who having won by five lengths on his debut was then beaten under a penalty last time out by another stablemate in Pacific Avenue.
George Boughey's Moonfall finished behind two other Appleby juveniles on his first two outings before opening his account at Newbury.
Boughey told Star Sports: 'The programme fits itself for a horse like him. He's rated 90, and we'd like to try to turn him into a stakes horse. He could have gone to the nursery at Goodwood, but his work has been very solid.
'He's a horse who wants seven furlongs and he's just ready to run again. I thought waiting three weeks for Goodwood was probably too long, so I'm looking forward to seeing him step up in grade here.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ITV Racing tips: Goodwood and Newmarket tips, Saturday August 2
ITV Racing tips: Goodwood and Newmarket tips, Saturday August 2

Telegraph

time12 hours ago

  • Telegraph

ITV Racing tips: Goodwood and Newmarket tips, Saturday August 2

Ron Wood's selections NAP: Mudbir (3.45, Goodwood) 1pt win @ 11/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐ Next best: Silent Love (3.20, Newmarket) 1pt win @ 7/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐ Others: Arabian Crown (1.20, Goodwood) 1pt win @ 4/1 with Betfred ⭐⭐ French Duke (1.55, Goodwood) 1pt win @ 4/1 with Betfred ⭐⭐ Ruby's Angel (2.10, Newmarket) 1pt win @ 13/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐ Goodie Two Shoes (2.30, Goodwood) 1pt win @ 7/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐ Purosangue (3.05, Goodwood) 1pt win @ 15/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐ Hammer The Hammer (3.05, Goodwood) 1pt win @ 11/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐ Odds provided by Betfred and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (maximum five). If you already have a Betfred account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use on this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts 1.20 Goodwood – Glorious Stakes (Group 3, 1m 4f; ITV1 & Racing TV) This features last year's winner Al Aasy, but he's eight now and there have been signs that he is on the downgrade. Getting back on slow ground should help ARABIAN CROWN and he may be able to adopt his favoured front-running tactics. A smart two-year-old and early three-year-old, Charlie Appleby's runner has lost his way since resuming this term, but he has had some excuses, most recently finding the ground too fast at Newmarket when returning from a 76-day break, his first start since being gelded. 1.55 Goodwood – Class 2 Handicap (1m 6f; ITV1 & Racing TV) FRENCH DUKE won a 1m 4f handicap at this meeting last year. He has had only one start this term, struggling to make an impression in a handicap over the same trip at Royal Ascot, but Roger Varian's runner could build on that. His connections have been working on getting him settled and, if he switches off OK he could improve for this step up in trip. This course evidently suits, he handles slow ground and he has untapped potential. Selection: French Duke 1pt win @ 4/1 with Betfred If you already have a Betfred account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use on this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts 2.10 Newmarket – Nursery Handicap (Class 2, 6f; ITV1 & Racing TV) RUBY'S ANGEL has been a beaten favourite on all three of her starts, but she has been running to a fair level and might prove ahead of her mark in her first handicap. Hugo Palmer's filly most recently finished one place behind Awaafi at Haydock, only a neck behind that rival, but she had been off for two months before that outing. 2.30 Goodwood – Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2, 1m 6f; ITV1 & Racing TV) This is a good, competitive staying event for fillies and mares that includes last year's winner Term Of Endearment, but the vote goes to the Joseph O'Brien-trained GOODIE TWO SHOES, who has won her last three starts in Ireland, most recently a Group 3 over 1m 6f at Fairyhouse. 3.05 Goodwood – Stewards' Cup (Heritage Handicap, 6f; ITV1 & Racing TV) Get It made all in this race last year and again in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot in June, but the ground may be slower than he wants this time. There's also Commanche Falls, who won it in 2021 and 2022, however others make more appeal now. It might not be that imaginative, but it seems like backing PUROSANGUE and HAMMER THE HAMMER would give one a fair chance of being on the winner. Both seem likely to go well. Purosangue was well beaten as the 9/2 favourite for this race last year, but slower ground this time is in his favour and he was second in the 2023 Molecomb Stakes at this meeting, so the track isn't an issue. He comes into this off a nice run in the Wokingham, when ninth of 28 on ground faster than ideal. Hammer The Hammer is a highly progressive three-year-old, most recently finishing second in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot. This test should suit him and he holds Group 1 entries. Selection: Purosangue 1pt win @ 15/2 with Betfred 3.20 Newmarket – Chalice Stakes (Listed, 1m 4f; ITV1 & Racing TV) This fillies' event isn't strong for the class and maybe SILENT LOVE can progress enough to take it and emulate her dam, Haddith, a Listed winner at Newmarket's other course for the same connections. Silent Love won a maiden at the third attempt, her success coming over 1m 3f at Kempton in the manner of an out-and-out galloper who will be suited by this added emphasis on stamina. Jockey Billy Loughnane has a tremendous record (9-16 before Friday evening's racing) when teaming up with trainer Charlie Appleby . 3.45 Goodwood – Class 2 Handicap (7f; ITV1 & Racing TV) There are a few nice types in this strong-looking three-year-old event, but MUDBIR is hard to ignore. This John & Thady Gosden-trained runner has had only four starts, most recently taking his form to a new level in winning a useful 7f handicap at Sandown. The runner-up from that race ran creditably from a tricky draw here on Wednesday. It's hard to fathom how the handicapper has nudged Mudbir up only 2lb for that, leaving him on a mark of 91. That's an underestimation of this close relation to the same connections' dual Group 1 winner Nazeef. He's also a half-brother to their dual top-level scorer Mostahdaf. Free-to-view coverage ITV4 – 9.30-10.30am: The Opening Show ITV1 – 1.00-4.00pm: Live racing from Glorious Goodwood and Newmarket Saturday's UK and Irish racing Flat Goodwood (1.20-4.55, Racing TV) Thirsk (1.38-5.50, Racing TV) Doncaster (1.45-5.20, Sky Sports Racing) Newmarket (2.10-5.05, Racing TV) Lingfield (5.10-8.15, Sky Sports Racing) Hamilton (5.55-9.00, Racing TV) Mixed (Flat and jumps) Galway (2.02-6.05, Racing TV) Are there any other horses of interest away from the ITV cameras? Yes, Dubai Beach in the 4.05 at Thirsk. She was beaten at short odds at Kempton last time, but it may still be worth buying into the form of her Chelmsford win two starts back, when she fairly bolted up. The runner-up and fourth both won next time out. What does NAP mean? NAP is a word used in betting circles to describe a prediction that a tipster thinks has a particularly strong chance of winning. Many horse racing tipsters pick out a 'NAP of the day', which is their favoured selection from all the races across the different meetings. The term NAP derives from the French card game Napoleon. When players of this game thought they had a particularly strong hand that they would win with, they would shout 'Napoleon'. Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence

My headline 11-2 tip can pull off a famous Glorious Goodwood double in the big sprint on Friday
My headline 11-2 tip can pull off a famous Glorious Goodwood double in the big sprint on Friday

Scottish Sun

time2 days ago

  • Scottish Sun

My headline 11-2 tip can pull off a famous Glorious Goodwood double in the big sprint on Friday

Read on for our man-in-the-know's selections MATT CHAPMAN My headline 11-2 tip can pull off a famous Glorious Goodwood double in the big sprint on Friday Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FIRST came Evs and now there's Mojo as trainer Mick Appleby tries to make it 'Big' in the feature sprint on day four of Glorious Goodwood. Twelve months ago it was Big Evs who took the King George Qatar Stakes for Appleby and Tom Marquand. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Big Mojo could prove unstoppable in what is sure to be a rapid King George sprint at Goodwood Credit: Alamy On Friday afternoon, live on ITV, the pair are at it again with BIG MOJO and have every chance of pulling off a famous double. This season the crack juvenile has been second in the July Cup and seventh in the Commonwealth Cup. Both of those are over 6f, and I suspect he will love dropping back to 5f. Has a big mojo of a chance. Opposition is headed by last year's runner-up Asfoora who challenges from Australia as well as Khaadem, who blew away cobwebs at Newbury the other day. He won this in 2022 from Appleby's Raasel! The action starts with a unique handicap over an extended 2m4f. One-time St Leger hope ALIGN THE STARS might cause a ripple for Charlie Johnston and Christophe Soumillon. A seventh in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot wasn't a bad performance suggesting this trip is not totally out of his compass and his fifth at Newmarket last time wasn't too bad. He's down another pound now and I'm not sure this is the strongest renewal of all time. An each-way chance. The Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes is for three-year-olds over 1m and Opera Ballo was my pick here but I'll go for DIEGO VENTURA now given form on what is sure to be sodden ground. Another handicap in the Golden Mile over, you've guessed it, 1m. BOPEDRO was fifth in this last year off 96 and hasn't won a race since yet goes in now off 98. All in all he's a badly handicapped horse especially at the age of nine. That all said, Hector Crouch can have fun with this ride as there is no pressure from a horrible draw in stall 16. The old boy will be dropped out and ridden cold and try and fly home late. I'll chance a few quid each-way. Trainer David O'Meara is great in these races and ground conditions are not issue. Finally on ITV a conditions race over 1m1f. LIBERTY LANE has to give some weight away but will probably take all the beating for Clifford Lee and Karl Burke. My hope flopped at Royal Ascot in the Wolferton over a bit further, but he scored well at this track the time before and this level should be well within his reach. When he's on a going day he's quite a decent horse. Good luck! FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

My headline 11-2 tip can pull off a famous Glorious Goodwood double in the big sprint on Friday
My headline 11-2 tip can pull off a famous Glorious Goodwood double in the big sprint on Friday

The Sun

time2 days ago

  • The Sun

My headline 11-2 tip can pull off a famous Glorious Goodwood double in the big sprint on Friday

FIRST came Evs and now there's Mojo as trainer Mick Appleby tries to make it 'Big' in the feature sprint on day four of Glorious Goodwood. Twelve months ago it was Big Evs who took the King George Qatar Stakes for Appleby and Tom Marquand. 1 On Friday afternoon, live on ITV, the pair are at it again with BIG MOJO and have every chance of pulling off a famous double. This season the crack juvenile has been second in the July Cup and seventh in the Commonwealth Cup. Both of those are over 6f, and I suspect he will love dropping back to 5f. Has a big mojo of a chance. Opposition is headed by last year's runner-up Asfoora who challenges from Australia as well as Khaadem, who blew away cobwebs at Newbury the other day. He won this in 2022 from Appleby's Raasel! The action starts with a unique handicap over an extended 2m4f. One-time St Leger hope ALIGN THE STARS might cause a ripple for Charlie Johnston and Christophe Soumillon. A seventh in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot wasn't a bad performance suggesting this trip is not totally out of his compass and his fifth at Newmarket last time wasn't too bad. He's down another pound now and I'm not sure this is the strongest renewal of all time. An each-way chance. The Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes is for three-year-olds over 1m and Opera Ballo was my pick here but I'll go for DIEGO VENTURA now given form on what is sure to be sodden ground. Another handicap in the Golden Mile over, you've guessed it, 1m. BOPEDRO was fifth in this last year off 96 and hasn't won a race since yet goes in now off 98. All in all he's a badly handicapped horse especially at the age of nine. That all said, Hector Crouch can have fun with this ride as there is no pressure from a horrible draw in stall 16. The old boy will be dropped out and ridden cold and try and fly home late. I'll chance a few quid each-way. Trainer David O'Meara is great in these races and ground conditions are not issue. Finally on ITV a conditions race over 1m1f. LIBERTY LANE has to give some weight away but will probably take all the beating for Clifford Lee and Karl Burke. My hope flopped at Royal Ascot in the Wolferton over a bit further, but he scored well at this track the time before and this level should be well within his reach. When he's on a going day he's quite a decent horse. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store