Noble to Champion Walker's Goodwood hopes
Ed Walker is lining up a strong team for Goodwood (PA)
Speaking at a Goodwood-organised press visit at his yard on Tuesday, the trainer said: 'Numerically we are not flying along, it just seems that way as we received a lot of good publicity following a couple of high-profile winners.
'The last month or so has been a bit bread and butter and also frustrating as we've had a shed load of seconds and thirds in the last fortnight.
'In our number of winners we are a bit down on last year, so the truth is we are making headlines but not adding to our total – and to date I've only had one winner at the big Goodwood meeting.'
Noble Champion, a surprise but impressive winner of the Jersey at the Royal meeting last month, is one of two Walker-trained entries for the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes on July 29, along with his John of Gaunt Stakes scorer Ten Bob Tony.
Ed Walker is preparing his horses for Goodwood (PA)
However, with both horses in the same ownership, they are unlikely to lock horns.
Of Noble Champion, Walker said: 'He needs a good, even gallop like the one he got from Spy Chief in the Jersey, and that horse went on to run a solid race in the July Cup.
'My horse thumped Spy Chief at Ascot and we're buzzing about him. He's a very exciting horse.
'We also have Ten Bob Tony in the Lennox, but Noble Champion is more likely to go as he's OK on the better ground and is in flying form.'
Scenic won the Group Three Bronte Cup at York on her penultimate start before pushing red-hot favourite Estrange all the way in Haydock's Lancashire Oaks.
The five-year-old, who was purchased by the powerful Wathnan Racing team prior to her neck defeat on Merseyside, is also set to be part of Walker's Goodwood-bound battalion.
Scenic (left) pushed Estrange all the way at Haydock (Nigel French for The Jockey Club)
He added: 'Scenic ran a massive race in the Lancashire Oaks and is heading for the Lillie Langtry.
'She didn't get the credit she deserved in a muddling race at Haydock and I'm happy to take on the winner again. I think she will run to a higher rating in the Yorkshire Oaks than at Goodwood.'
Other planned contenders for the trainer include Celandine, who ran a race full of promise on her return from 10 months off the track when third in York's Summer Stakes recently, and the Coventry and July Stakes runner-up Do Or Do Not.
'Celandine and Balmoral Lady are both in the King George Stakes and at this point it looks more like Celandine will go there as she wants it (the ground) like a road. She has bags of speed, but just got hassled by Rage Of Bamby at York last time,' said Walker.
'The owner of Do Or Do Not is very keen to take him to the Vintage Stakes and that's the plan as it looks like he's crying out for seven furlongs.
'He's bred to be a fun horse but he's very good, and deserves to win one of these Group races.'
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The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Glorious Goodwood racing tips: Best bets and odds for day three
Thursday's Glorious Goodwood tips Marhaba Ghaiyyath (Goodwood, 13.20) – 0.5pt each-way @ 7/1 (Bet365) Coppull (Goodwood, 13.55) – 1pt win @ 10/3 (William Hill) Merchant (Goodwood, 14.30) - 1pt win @ 5/4 (Bet365) Whirl (Goodwood, 15.05) - 1pt win @ 11/8 (Bet365) Nad Alshiba Green (Goodwood, 15.45) – 0.5pt each-way @ 13/2 (Ladbrokes) Hey Tru Blue (Goodwood, 16.20) – 0.5pt each-way @ 6/1 (Bet365) Aylin (Goodwood, 16.55) – 1pt win @ 3/1 (Ladbrokes) Sea Force (Goodwood, 17.30) – 1pt win @ 7/1 (Betway) Coral Kincsem Handicap – 13.20 Goodwood After his close third at Royal Ascot, Best Secret will probably be all the rage here and, given that James Doyle rode his chief market rival, Marhaba Ghaiyyath when he went close at Newmarket last time, he'll have a good handle on their relative merits. However, he is also retained by Wathnan, who own the favourite and so he couldn't have chosen to stick with his Newmarket mount. Marhaba Ghaiyyath bypassed Royal Ascot and instead picked up a smaller race at Redcar but he should not be underestimated after that more recent effort on the July Course. He still looks pretty well treated off an official mark of 95 and he is going on for twice the price of the favourite. He looks well worth an each-way interest with solid odds on betting sites. Markel Richmond Stakes tips – 13.55 Goodwood We sided with Havana Hurricane last time out at Newbury and, agonisingly, he was 'done' on the line. Eve Johnson Houghton's colt is feared here but you couldn't help being very impressed with the effort of Coppull in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Admittedly, he was more than three lengths adrift of the winner Gstaad that day but the winner looks something special and that still counts as very smart form. That was just a second start for Clive Cox's Bated Breath colt. He is open to plenty of improvement and should prove tough to beat. HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes tips – 14.30 Goodwood He's not going to be much of a price on horse racing betting sites, but Merchant arrives seeking a hat-trick and is selected to complete that feat, after at decisive win at York and then an improved, career best effort to win the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot last time. Both those races were over 1m4f and on a sound surface and he looks likely to get the same conditions again. Cases can certainly be made for Rahiebb and Wimbledon Hawkeye but the big danger on the day could turn out to be Galveston, whose trainer Aidan O'Brien has won this race three times in the past decade. Qatar Nassau Stakes tips – 15.05 Goodwood Just five runners have been declared for the focal point on day three, the Group 1 Nassau Stakes but it could still provide us with one of the best races of the week between the four-year-old See The Fire and the three-year-old Whirl, a year her junior. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Whirl is well treated with her age allowance, based on official ratings compared to if this were a handicap. While that doesn't always go to form, it would be some performance for See The Fire to topple Whirl in this. The latter proved herself in Group 1 company when runner-up in the Oaks at Epsom last month. She then bettered that when returning to Ireland to take the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, when dropped back to 1m2f. That's the trip for this contest and it suits both the selection and her chief rival, who thrashed her field in a York Group 2 in May, before being a good third behind Ombudsman in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Arguably, she has the best single piece of form to go into this race with but Whirl looks to have 7lb in hand and is taken to score. This looks absolutely wide open with the Glorious Goodwood odds market opening at 7/1 the field and one of the many towards the head of it looks likely to go well. That runner is Nad Alshiba Green, who has not been out of the first three in four starts this season and is admirably consistent. Mick Appleby's filly won the third of those four starts, a 5f sprint at Notttingham with a bit in hand. Up 6lb for that, she showed improvement when she stepped up in grade at Sandown last time, producing a career best to finish a close second. That upward curve is a positive for her to bring to this contest and, although it looks ultra competitive, she looks an each-way player with 16 runners declared and therefore four places to play for. Phase Eight Nursery Handicap tips – 16.20 Goodwood Another hugely competitive contest where cases can be made for plenty of them and the one that interests us most is Hey Tru Blue. George Boughey's colt began his career with a promising second in a Leicester maiden (6f, good), which connections felt was good enough to earn him a tilt at the Royal Ascot's Group 2 Norfolk Stakes. 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The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He's improving rapidly and looks a superstar' – Templegate's 10-3 Goodwood day three NAP
TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday's action from Glorious Goodwood confident of making it a day to remember. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. COPPULL (1.55 Goodwood, nap) He can hit the target for Clive Cox. His debut win at Leicester has worked out superbly and he ran a stormer in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, finishing third at 66-1 in that Group 2. He's improving fast and the step back into calmer waters could be just what he needs with this sharp 6f looking ideal. WHIRL (3.05 Goodwood, nb) She's a progressive filly who made light work of the Musidora at York in May before finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom, before gaining deserved Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly last time. That Curragh form looks rock solid with the runner-up boosting it since and this trip looks ideal. He can sell his rivals down the river. The William Haggas colt has looked a Group performer in waiting since being upped to this trip and his Royal Ascot handicap win -where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up - screamed quality. He's still improving, travels strongly and sees the trip out powerfully. GOODWOOD 1.20 BEST SECRET is fancied to land this hot handicap after a cracking third in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot, where he finished powerfully from off the pace. He's up 5lb for that effort but was clear of the rest and looks the type to keep improving over this trip. A strongly run race on decent ground should suit perfectly and he sets the standard. Main danger could be High Degree, who made all in a Ffos Las maiden and now tackles 1m2f for the first time. His pedigree screams stamina and trainer William Haggas won this race 12 months ago. He's unexposed, goes forward, and is open to loads of progress. Calla Lagoon is another improver worth noting. He shaped well in a Listed contest at Chester on comeback and looks just the type to take off now handicapping over a longer trip. Parole d'Oro and Seagolazo both finished strongly at Newmarket last time and are bred to stay. They have place potential. 1.55 COPPULL can hit the target for Clive Cox. His debut win at Leicester has worked out superbly and he ran a stormer in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, finishing third at 66-1 in that Group 2. He's improving fast and the step back into calmer waters could be just what he needs with this sharp 6f looking ideal. Havana Hurricane sets the standard after winning the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and went mighty close in the Super Sprint last time despite not getting the clearest run. He's tough and classy but most of his best work has come at 5f, so the extra furlong on drying ground could ask a question. Azizam also ran a cracker at the Royal meeting, finishing third behind Havana Hurricane despite being drawn away from the action. That was only his second start and the move up to 6f looks ideal. He's a big player again. Maximized beat Havana Hurricane at Epsom and has claims if bouncing back from a poor run in the July Stakes, while Puerto Rico was second in a Curragh Group 2 and isn't written off. 2.30 MERCHANT can sell his rivals down the river. William Haggas' colt has looked a Group performer in waiting since being upped to this trip and his Royal Ascot handicap win — where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up — screamed quality. He's still improving, travels strongly and sees the trip out powerfully. There's a lot more to come. Rahiebb gave Merchant weight when close behind him at York and again caught the eye in the Queen's Vase when third over 1m6f at Ascot. Now at level weights and back to 1m4f he should be bang there. Ballydoyle hope Galveston has looked sharper since blinkers went on, making all at Naas before a decent front-running show when third in the King Edward VII. He'll likely try similar tactics again and could prove hard to pass if allowed a soft lead. Wimbledon Hawkeye pushed older rivals close last time in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes, while Sir Dinadan ran above expectations in the Irish Derby but may have been flattered by that result. Windlord got his head back in front at Sandown but may find this too warm, and Too Soon has it all to prove on current form after a beating in handicap company last time out. GIVE it a WHIRL in the £600,000 Nassau Stakes. She was a good second in the Oaks and showed her Group 1 class when winning the Pretty Polly at The Curragh. This trip is ideal and there's more to come. This will take some winning though with See The Fire and Cercene live rivals. Here's my guide to the field, where I rate each horse one (worst) to five (best): BEDTIME STORY 3 FAIRY Story. This son of Frankel was a smart juvenile who landed Group 2 and Group 3 wins on fast ground last year and bounced back with a cracking second in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. Ground no issue here and 1m2f suits well. Needs more again in this deeper Group 1 and Ryan Moore prefers Whirl, which is a notable pointer. But she's clearly talented, in-form and still improving. Not dismissed lightly and could hit the frame with another career best. CERCENE 4 CENE and heard. Irish 1,000 Guineas third who caused a 33-1 shock in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, staying on powerfully to land that Group 1 in style. Faces her toughest test yet here over a new trip but she's bred to stay 1m2f being by Australia, and her finishing effort last time suggests she'll relish it. Progressive, tough and clearly thriving, she may just be underestimated again. Not out of this by any means. RUNNING LION 1 LION tamed. Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot last summer and went close in the Prix de l'Opera on Arc weekend but hasn't quite hit those heights this season. Solid fourth in the Duke of Cambridge last month but lacked the same spark. She's classy and could get an easy lead but may find a few finishing stronger. Capable of a bold show if allowed her own way but others look more convincing at this level now. SEE THE FIRE 4 HOT Fire. Neck second in this race last year and has looked better than ever in 2025, bolting up in the Middleton at York and then finishing a fine third against the boys in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Proven at 1m2f, handles fast ground and she's rock solid back against her own sex. Holds standout claims on form and will be right there if she repeats that Ascot run. WHIRL 5 WHIRL cool. Progressive filly who made light work of the Musidora at York in May before finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom, before gaining deserved Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly last time. That Curragh form looks rock solid with the runner-up boosting it since and this trip looks ideal. Fast ground holds no fears and she's thriving. Moore's pick from the yard and rates a major player with everything in her favour. Very hard to knock her serious winning chance. 3.45 GETREADYTORUMBLE looks a knockout bet. He's already scored over this C&D and lost nothing in defeat when third at Sandown last time, a race that's working out well. He's improving fast, handles good to firm, and still looks fairly treated. Main danger could be Nad Alshiba Green, who rarely runs a bad race and has hit the frame in eight of her nine handicaps. She was just behind Getreadytorumble at Sandown and remains a big player despite another 3lb rise in the weights. The Man is interesting too. He made a winning comeback after wind and gelding ops in a strong York handicap and could easily build on that now. Ruby's Profit didn't stay on the stiff track at Royal Ascot but flew home to win over this C&D in May. She's best when allowed to dictate. Templegate's tips 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:
Rhyl Journal
15 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Ryan team expect Goodwood to suit Molecomb runner Ameeq
The Mehmas colt ran a stormer in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot to come home fourth as a 100-1 shot and should find conditions on the Sussex Downs more to his liking. Previous to that, he broke his maiden at Nottingham in fine style when beating Chairmanfourtimes, who has since franked that form with a victory of his own at Pontefract. Ryan, who is assistant to his father, Kevin, said: 'It was a fantastic race at Ascot. 'Probably a little bit unlucky with being drawn slightly on the wrong side. Obviously the winner (Charles Darwin) was very good. 'He did himself very proud there. He's got a lot of natural speed so Goodwood should suit him. 'We don't run horses at Ascot thinking they haven't got a chance. The horse doesn't know his odds and we thought he'd do himself proud and he did just that.' Ryan will be double-handed with Dickensian trying his luck at Group level for the first time. The son of Pinatubo found only Havana Hurricane too good in the Windsor Castle at the Royal meeting and heading to Goodwood was always the plan. Ryan added: 'He's come out of Ascot well. He was a good second there, just getting caught late on, so the Molecomb was tagged up straight away to head to and he goes down there with a big chance.' Charlie Appleby's Military Code won his first two starts before disappointing in the Coventry Stakes. He bounced back to form at Sandown recently when beaten just a head by Staya. 'Military Code put up a good performance at Sandown, with the winner going on to run well at Ascot over the weekend. We highlighted this race straight after his last run and he goes there in good order,' Appleby told Ger Lyons sends Group Three scorer Lady Iman from Ireland after she lost her unbeaten record last time out in the Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh when racing too keenly. Tim Easterby is represented by three-time winner Argentine Tango, who has some fine form behind Karl Burke's star filly Venetian Sun. 'The ground is good which suits her, but she's drawn in stall one which is not ideal, but what can you do. She should run well,' said Easterby. 'She's been training very well into the race and we were very happy with her Newmarket performance behind Venetian Sun. She's got seven others to beat though, but she's going into it as well as she could be.' David O'Meara runs Rogue Supremacy with Andrew Balding's Sands Of Spain and David Simcock's Rydale Frosty completing the line-up.
