SIMON NOTT BETTING BLOG: Glorious Goodwood Saturday

One Glorious day at Goodwood to push, once again, the weather was beautiful and I’ve still not seen a bird on Kennel Hill, nobody ever has have they? It remains a mystery why, writes SIMON NOTT.

Before racing, Ben thought it would be a good idea to ask Lofty what it takes not just to clerk, but to be a great clerk. The video appears to have gone down well, Lofty is a natural in front of a camera.

Today’s teams remained unchanged on the rail with Alex the BHA grad, Pam and Lofty himself. Over in Tatts, Keiran had replaced Sophie who had to do a day at her proper job. Poor Sophie, imagine having a proper job. Anyway, on to the racing.

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1:50 – Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3YO plus)

There were a lot of people here and a real buzz about the place, but not a sniff of a big bet in the opener, though the field money over the two pitches did amount to £4565 it was pretty disappointing with 11/4 joint favourites. Hopewell Rock landing the spoils at 5/1 was a winning result and given the modest field money was probably quite a good cop at £2377 but the hope was the punters would start opening their shoulders a bit more for the rest of the card.

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2:25 – Coral Glorious Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Next up, Opportunity opened at 5/2 in the dead eight race, but a £1000 treble across three favourites across the card away copped costing the firm £8000. But onwards, this race picked up, bets of £3000 at 9/4 Opportunity, £2000 at 7/2 Al Aasy and £3000 at 7/2 In My Teens made up most of the book, but the smaller punters were keeping the two teams busy, with bagmen also lurking but yet to pounce, at least on Star Sports. Then there was a £10,000 hedge bet Weleyll over at Doncaster to contend with. At the off those three bets mentioned were the three losers, though Opportunity was still a 9/4 chance. The book held £14,010 with five against the three. Aye Aye, Enfjaar winning at 17/2 was a cracking result, copping £12,666, Opportunity was second. The SP’s 8/1 the winner and 15/8 the runner-up, top of the head on course.

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3:00 – Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

In one hand and out the other, the £10,000 bet away won, returned 5/4 and reportedly looked beaten two out. Anyway, there were just six runners in the next with Waardah and Danielle heading the market at 11/4 each of two. Once again, although the teams had taken over 800 bets on the day, many more than the rest of the week there weren’t any lumps. That a given the fact the teams fielded £6944 was quite impressive; it’s a shame the stakes were so modest, especially as 8/1 chance Goodie Two Shoes winning copped £3309 on the race. Where were the bagmen backing the favourite when you needed them? Still, let’s not be churlish it was another winning race. It was another winner for Neil Channing’s Betting Emporium, how does he do it? As Toyah once warbled, ‘It’s A Mystery!’

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3:35 – Coral Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3YO plus)

The rails laid an early £16,000 – £2000 Sondad, which once betting got going properly seemed a value wager to lay with plenty of 10/1 and some 12/1 available in the ring. The next decent bet was as the horses were going to post, a real crime to fractions £1250 each-way Soldiers Tree at 8/1. ‘Don’t educate them Simon boy’. Meanwhile the troops kept grafting; at the off the book held £10,584, copping £8573 when 16/1 chance Evening Saigon won the race in a desperate finish, another winning race for the ring.

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4:10 – Phase Eight Handicap (Class 2) (3YO only)

The race before the penultimate was lively, bets of £2000 and £5000 at 9/4 We’re Goosers were laid just before disgruntled trade bets were told they’d been short-headed. Another decent bet £3500 – £500 Naval Light added to the mix alongside the steady flow of wagers from the floor, it was good to see lots of ladies quite happy to come to the pitch and bet. The next thing we knew the favourite was a 6/4 chance and a loser for nearly £26,000 with £16,901 in the hod. The race itself looked a rough old affair but that worked in the firm’s favour, the gamble appeared to have no luck in running which allowed Ghost Mode to nick it. The result was a cracking one for the book, £13,066 copped with the sweet aroma of burning bagmen’s fingers lingering in the air.

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4:45 – British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Colts And Geldings Only) (Class 2) (2YO only)

Betting on the penultimate looked quite competitive but the hope was the punters would get stuck in regardless. Speakers Corner opened at 5/2 and promptly backed into 7/4 but not to money, at least not with Star Sports. Sad to say the race was quiet in context with how the rest of the day had been, at the off the book held just £3805 over the two pitches, 12/1 winner Rafe’s Da Man won £1343 on the heat so was another fair result but the firm didn’t get their whack.

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5:20 – Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (Class 3) (3YO plus)

The finale was a tough enough looking heat to conclude the meeting, but business was at least better than the previous race. There were no bets of any note, but the firm were £17,000 in front after some away business, as the horses were going to post there was no chance of doing that in. Late on, things started to get lively with a grand at 7/2 Crest Of Fire and £2500 at the same price the same horse set out to prove I may have spoken to spoon. As the horses milled around at the start a very nice chap who didn’t want to be name came from the Richmond to say he loves Star’s content, thanks very much that meant a lot, you know who you are. Meanwhile, Crest of Fire was red in the win book for £12,638 with £9084 in the hod. Well, what can you say, Crest of Fire winning the race, the 10/3 joint favourite sort of summed the meeting up. Memorable and Glorious but a bookies nightmare, but still a winning day, something to be thankful for.

I’m back at the Shergar Cup.

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

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Simon Nott is author of: Skint Mob! Tales from the Betting Ring
available on Kindle CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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