Imperial Cup winner returns and sprinter bids for a third win in Goodwood handicap - punting pointers for Sunday
Punting pointers from some of today's race meetings . . .
Cork: marvellous Mullins
Willie Mullins was the leading trainer at Cork last season with ten winners from 36 runners and the champion trainer has already sent out two winners from three runners at the track this term.
Mullins is represented by Luckinthecity and Femme Magnifique in the 3m novice hurdle (3.10), a race he won in 2015 and 2019 with Westerner Lady and Zola respectively. Luckinthecity made a successful hurdles debut at Kilbeggan last month but Femme Magnifique is the choice of Paul Townend. The six-year-old beat Sharp Object by three and three-quarter lengths at Downpatrick in June and the runner-up won her next start by eight lengths.
The mare has been winless in a couple of starts since but the jockey booking is noteworthy as Danny Mullins, who partnered her on her last two starts at Galway and Killarney, will attempt to help Luckinthecity concede 7lb and and a beating to her stablemate.
Ffos Las: Imperial Cup winner makes reappearance
Olly Murphy may be the trainer to follow at Ffos Las with a 40 per cent strike-rate from five runners in handicap chases at the track.
He sends two noteworthy names to the Welsh track, starting with Booster Bob, who won three times over hurdles last season, including at Listed level at Sandown. He makes his chase debut against seven rivals in a 2m novice handicap (3.20) and has this season's leading jockey Sean Bowen on board for this first test over fences, in which recent winner Moveit Like Minnie may be the chief danger.
Murphy is also represented in the Welsh Champion Hurdle (3.55) by Imperial Cup winner Go Dante, who sits at the head of the market alongside the Sam Thomas-trained pair Lump Sum and Steel Ally.
The eight-year-old will bid to improve Murphy's fortunes in the race after his representative Strong Leader finished last 12 months ago but more than made up for the defeat with a Grade 1 success in the Liverpool Hurdle in April.
Goodwood: Star out to strike again
Spanish Star lines up in a competitive sprint but trainer Patrick Chamings will hope his runner can get the better of his rivals for a third success in the Class 3 6f handicap (3.00).
The betting suggests the race is wide open and all six runners have a shot at victory, but Spanish Star has proven his aptitude for the race with success in 2021 for David Probert and in 2022 under Tom Marquand.
The nine-year-old finished sixth in the race last year and failed to make an impression on his last two starts, but he is back down to a winnable mark and Hollie Doyle is a welcome booking.
The return to more testing ground should suit the sprinter who has won on heavy before and his best performance this season came when finishing fourth of 16 at Newbury on his reappearance, when soft featured in the going description.
Goodwood: super strike-rate
Emma Lavelle has a 50 per cent success rate in open handicaps at Goodwood and will seek to improve that figure with Zoran in the opening 2m handicap for jump jockeys (1.50). The seven-year-old is partnered by Tom Bellamy and aims to make a winning debut at Goodwood, having already won over this trip at Kempton in June.
Naas: can Keane dominate at the track again?
Colin Keane is the leading jockey at Naas for the last five years and has a 24 per cent strike-rate at the track this season.
He rides in all bar one of the eight races and has several live chances, including in the two Listed contests on Caught U Looking and Sakti, but he also partners Cheltenham Festival winner Seddon for the first time in the 2m premier handicap (4.00).
The 11-year-old, winner of the Plate in 2023, competed in Grade 1 contests last jumps season but has relished a switch to the Flat, winning on his last two starts at Killarney and Listowel.
Seddon steps up markedly in grade but is in flying form and has a good draw from stall six, so there is all to play for with €100,000 on offer.
Naas: can Lyons land more prizes?
Ger Lyons is operating at an impressive 44 per cent strike-rate over the last fortnight and is primed for more success with three chances of success on Sunday.
Misappropriation bids to break her maiden after a respectable fourth on her debut, before William F Browne lines up for a €120,000 prize under Keane. However, his best chance of the day may be Listed contender Sakti after a smart fourth last time.
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