I’M hoping for more than a few ups on the Downs at my last Glorious Goodwood.
It’s hard to think of a more beautful racecourse in the world — especially when the sun is out.
Hopefully we will get to see a bit of it through the clouds!
Although the Sussex views are second to none there is no time for sightseeing when you are riding as it is certainly one of the trickiest tracks to ride.
The draw plays a big part, especially in the big handicaps.
A low draw is best on the round course while you have to get a fast start in the sprints.
It’s a place where you get plenty of hard luck stories as it can get pretty rough and tumble on the run for home.
But it’s a fun track to ride and hopefully the gaps will come for me as I’ve got some lovely rides.
Richard Fahey’s horses are going well at the moment and he’s been doing well with his two-year-olds, so I’m looking forward to GOLDEN MIND (3.25).
It is a hot renewal and we’ve got a bit to find with a few of them, but there’s every reason to think we can bridge the gap.
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He came from a fair way back to take third on his first start over seven furlongs in the Chesham and looks worth another go at the trip.
Everything looks set up perfectly for KINROSS (4.00) and he’s favourite for a reason.
He loves soft ground and in my opinion seven furlongs is his ideal trip.
I was unlucky on him last year, but that’s the way Goodwood is sometimes.
It wasn’t his fault, he’s super-consistent and never runs a bad race, just sometimes he needs things to fall right for him.
You can count on him to put on a good show and I hope to have the punters smiling.
Being very honest, I couldn’t see COURAGE MON AMI (4.35) winning the Gold Cup at Ascot.
I say that because he is only a four-year-old was having only his fourth-ever start. He also tends to be pretty lazy in his work at home.
The fact he was even in the Gold Cup in the first place was down to Thady Gosden.
He had faith in him — even if a few of us weren’t so sure.
Winning the big one at Royal Ascot was amazing and, to be fair, he did it with a bit in the tank.
I know Oisin, who was riding Coltrane, thinks I used him as a target and that helped us. Maybe it did — but the best horse won.
It’s a different ball game now as the hunter becomes the hunted and we need to put up a big run to defend our title as the leading stayer.
The competition looks pretty strong again, so it’s not going to be easy, but you can’t knock him now he’s a Gold Cup winner so I’m looking forward to it.
As for the going, he’s never run on softer ground so it’s hard to know, but we are pretty confident it should be OK.
Realistically, as a four-year-old with just four runs under his belt, he should still be a horse on the up.
Finally, BRIDESTONES (5.05) was unlucky two starts back in the Sandringham and proved she was better than that run when third at Sandown.
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It looks a pretty hot handicap and the draw in 20 is going to make things difficult, but she’s still quite unexposed and has form on soft ground.
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