It's a big week for racing fans either side of the Irish Sea as the Goodwood and Galway festivals get underway.
Goodwood, set against the backdrop of the stunning Sussex Downs, stages Group 1 action on each of the first three afternoons (Tuesday to Thursday) and a rematch between Ascot's Gold Cup first and third, Kyprios and Stradivarius looks sure to light up the opening eight-race card.
Wednesday's showpiece contest, the Group 1 Sussex Stakes, features Baaeed - the world's highest-rated Flat horse, although his 1-5 odds won't appeal to many. Don't be surprised if last year's winner Alcohol Free (10-1) makes more of a race of it than the prices imply.
The highlight of the Irish festival's popular seven-day bonanza is Wednesday's Galway Plate and the 2022 edition looks as competitive as ever with a maximum field going to post for the 270,000 Euro handicap chase. For both of the big meetings, we've picked out some favourites from the opening shows that look worth taking on.
Tuesday
Goodwood 3.00 - Sacred
Has a big chance on her fine effort in defeat in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes but hold-up run style hardly conducive to this track and lack of Goodwood experience might just prove her undoing in what looks a more open Group 2 than the odds imply.
Galway 7.15 - Butterfly Island
A Dermot Weld-trained favourite has won this race on three occasions since 2014 but they were all odds-on and Butterfly Island appears nothing like as strong. The daughter of Acclamation, originally priced up as the market leader with some firms before being overtaken by Karakoul, is one of the most exposed runners in the line-up having raced nine times and it says plenty about her that she is still to get her head in front. Trip and draw are fine but a few of these have the potential to progress past her.
Wednesday
Goodwood 3.00 - Rocket Rodney
Rocket Rodney has leading claims on his runaway Listed success at Sandown last time. He'll not find it so easy against a better quality of rival however, as a few of them retain significant potential. Favourites have a poor recent record in the Molecomb Stakes (just two have won in the last ten years) and don't be surprised if this goes to a bigger-priced contender.
Galway 7.15 - Hallowed Star
Even over a mile and a half, a double-figure draw is a big negative here and that spells big trouble for Hallowed Star who otherwise has sound claims. This seven-year-old tends to be ridden from off the pace (slowly away last time) – and that's going to make life even tougher because he's going to have to weave his way through all sorts of traffic. He'll stay this trip fine but he'll need an awful lot of luck in running to win from stall 16.
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