The prolific Paddington is difficult to oppose as he bids to continue his flawless campaign in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
The Siyouni colt has carried all before him in five starts so far this season, progressing from a handicap win at Leopardstown to becoming the stand-out colt of his generation.
He was brilliant in winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes and successfully stepped up to a mile-and-a-quarter when seeing off Emily Upjohn in an Eclipse thriller.
Paddington now reverts to a mile in a bid to emulate the great Giant’s Causeway, who won the St James’s Palace and Eclipse before adding the Sussex to his CV.
Top-class older filly Inspiral is the clear threat, but trying to give 4lb to a horse of Paddington’s class, particularly on rain-softened ground, is expected to prove beyond her.
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Baheer is taken to provide trainer Richard Hannon with a third successive victory in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Molecomb Stakes.
There was plenty of talk about the Mehmas colt prior to his debut at Newbury in May, but he was upstaged by 150/1 shot Zoulu Chief.
Baheer rewarded those who kept the faith at the same track four weeks ago though, dominating from the front and winning as he liked over the straight six furlongs.
The speed he showed that day suggested a drop back to five furlongs should not be an issue and he looks the value call against the exciting Kylian and Royal Ascot winner Big Evs.
The vote goes to the William Haggas-trained Amleto in the opening Coral Handicap.
The three-year-old brother to dual Group One winner Sea Of Class looked clueless on his Kempton introduction in the autumn, but there was definite encouragement to be taken from his fourth-placed finish at the same track next time behind Mostabshir, who is now rated 107.
Having been gelded during the off-season, Amleto made a smart comeback at Chester in May, pulling right away in soft ground, and an opening mark of 89 looks very workable.
The Group Three Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes looks a good opportunity for Jumbly to open her account for the year.
Formerly a high-class performer for Harry and Roger Charlton, the four-year-old changed hands in November for a cool 1.25 million guineas and moved to Ireland to join Joseph O’Brien.
She has performed creditably in defeat in two Group Twos so far this term and the combination of a
slight ease in class and a return to easier conditions should do the trick.
Classy Boy can provide Karl Burke with yet another juvenile winner in the first division of the Best Flat Races Live On Racing TV British EBF Novice Stakes at Redcar.
The Spigot Lodge handler has been firing on all cylinders with his two-year-olds this year and this son of Calyx looked a winner in
waiting when third on his Doncaster debut.
Burke may also be among the winners at Leicester, with Indication Spirit poised to complete her hat-trick in the Join Racing TV Today Nursery, while Sandown punters should put their faith in recent Wolverhampton winner Battista in the Trustatrader Apply Today Apprentice Handicap.
Nastasiya keeps running well in defeat and may finally get her head in front in the Auto Services Perth Ltd. Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Perth.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
NAP Paddington (3.35: Goodwood)
DOUBLE Baheer (3.00: Goodwood)
TREBLE Amleto (1.50: Goodwood)
YANKEE Jumbly (2.25: Goodwood)
