Punting pointers for a tricky opening handicap at Glorious Goodwood

1.50 Goodwood
Unibet Handicap | 1m2f, 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Course specialist First Sitting looks to strike at Goodwood again

Some horses thrive around this quirky Sussex venue and Chris Wall is expecting another big performance at Goodwood from First Sitting, who is two from three at the track.

Both those wins came in the Listed Festival Stakes – over this course and distance – and he returns after an encouraging run at Newmarket and off an intriguing handicap mark of 97.

Wall said: "We are hoping for a good run from him. He showed plenty of promise in his last start and the form has worked out well.

"He is going well at home but we could've done with a better draw [16]. He has a good record around Goodwood which we hope he can put to good use."

Johnston bids to continue fine race record

Mark Johnston has won four of the last ten runnings of this contest and he is double-handed with Aquarium and Ventura Knight.

The latter, ridden by Ryan Moore may have the best chance of the pair and was beaten just half a length off a 1lb higher mark last month.

Assistant Charlie Johnston said: "Aquarium often makes life hard for himself by starting slowly, so the first quarter of the race will be fairly crucial. He's sliding down the weights but on his day is a talented horse.

"Ventura Knight has been running solid races in defeat and is looking like he wants to come back to a mile and a quarter."

Ground the key for O'Keeffe runner Jazeel

Jazeel has won three of his last five starts when 'firm' was in the going description and looks set to relish the summer conditions at Goodwood – providing they stay summery.

He won a valuable Sandown handicap on his penultimate start before finishing ninth in the John Smith's Cup at York, but trainer Jedd O'Keeffe expects the four-year-old to bounce back.

"I'm very much looking forward to it," he said. "Hopefully the ground should stay good or a bit quicker – the forecast rain they may get will be after our race with a bit of luck.

"The track will suit him well and we have a jockey [Jamie Spencer] who has won on him. We think everything is in his favour."

Jazeel (middle) beat Beringer (right) at Sandown earlier this monthCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

What they say

Andrew Balding, trainer of Johnny Drama
Ger [Lyons] liked him and felt he didn’t stay at Ascot last time so we’re dropping him back to a mile and a quarter. The horse has settled in well and although we're still learning about him I hope he’ll run well.

David O'Meara, trainer of Fayez
It's tough to know whether he'll be able to translate the form away from Ripon. He is in good form and we'll give it a whirl.

Soto Sizzler: a 20-1 winner on his last start at GoodwoodCredit: Alan Crowhurst

William Knight, trainer of Soto Sizzler
He is in great order and he likes Goodwood. Ideally I would've liked to run him at a mile and a half, but it should be nice ground and I expect a big run.

David Simcock, trainer of Bless Him
We have been considering stepping him up in trip for a long time. He stayed on for a long way in a messy race last time, which was encouraging, and he seems in good order. He is a little more relaxed than he used to be.

William Haggas trainer of Nicklaus
We are trying a new trip and he's in good form but he has a bad draw. We wouldn't want much rain.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com