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Glorious Goodwood: Garswood shows promise to branch out into Forêt

 

Chris McGrath
Wednesday 31 July 2013 11:30 BST
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Ryan Moore (red) delivers Garswood late to land the Lennox Stakes
Ryan Moore (red) delivers Garswood late to land the Lennox Stakes (PA)

The celebrated belvedere was nowhere to be seen as racegoers convened here under soggy panamas, and they soon discovered that the favourite for the big race had also disappeared into the clouds. But the imposing young colt who replaced Aljamaaheer at the head of the market conversely found the easing conditions very much to his taste.

Available at 7-1 before Aljamaaheer's withdrawal, Garswood was ultimately sent off as short as 9-4 for the Bet365 Lennox Stakes. While his backers were a little uneasy turning in, the Yorkshire raider began to bear down in the straight before surging through to win by a neck from Caspar Netscher.

This was a judicious choice of target by Richard Fahey for a colt he had praised so lavishly after that impressive reappearance success at Newmarket in the spring. He has kept elite company since, in the 2,000 Guineas and Jersey Stakes, but has now laid down something to build on.

"He's not really the finished article," the Malton trainer said. "He's a big boy who's growing up all the time. Hopefully, he will end up a Group One horse one day. The race I've always had at the back of my mind is the Prix de la Forêt at Longchamp."

The other Group race on the opening day was dominated by Richard Hannon, albeit his stable jockey, Richard Hughes, was made to repent of his preference for Anticipated after finishing a neck second to Brown Sugar in the Molecomb Stakes. The winner had failed to settle on his previous start but that was not an issue dropped to this downhill five. Always tanking along under Pat Dobbs, he was restrained until quite late but still only just held out. Brown Sugar looks the type to be delivered as late as possible – in other words, Hughes must be thinking, an ideal conveyance for the champion jockey.

Turf account

Chris McGrath's Nap

Morpheus (7.30 Sandown) Frankel's half-brother had more in hand than the margin suggested on his handicap debut but is just 3lb higher here.

One to watch

Makhfar (John Gosden) Looks good value for money judged on his excellent debut second at Ascot on Sunday.

Where the money's going

Harris Tweed is 10-1 from 25-1 with Paddy Power for the Betfred Ebor.

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