(Michelangelo doesn't have Donatello et al holding him back any longer....)
Michelangelo actually has to turn form around with Frankel's brother Noble Mission here as he finished 3rd to that one on debut, Noble Mission was having his 3rd run there though & it was a great performance from Michelangelo considering it was a Listed race & being his first time out. The extra two furlongs today should also help as he looks totally stamina laden, it seems that last time he raced over 10 furlongs just because the sales race prize was too valuable to turn down & really he looks a middle distance horse & maybe even a St Leger type. Gosden has two other horses with chances in the Leger & we think if Michelangelo runs well enough here there is just the possibility they may start to angle for a tilt at the Arc or maybe even the Breeders' Cup Turf over 1m4f as well. Noble Mission is a good marker but with normal improvement Michelangelo should go past & several of the others don't look near his standard.
Girolamo finished 3rd in the German Derby behind the very smart Pastorious but may want softer ground, he deserves respect though & Godolphin run the thoroughly unexposed Encke but you'd think that one would need to find a stone or more improvement on anything its done so far. We're slightly surprised Michelangelo isn't shorter than 11/8 & that price should be bet, this is one of the most exciting horses in training & could blow this lot away for the in form Buick & Gosden combination.
(Charlie Hills has started to get his two year olds flying)
The maiden race at 4.15 looks a really interesting contest & we think the chances of African Oil may be underestimated from the early prices we've seen. Charlie Hills has had two potentially smart two year old winners first time out in the past week in Kerbaaj & the particularly taking Ebn Arab (one to follow for sure) & he has African Oil here & this one has an entry in the Group Two Champagne Stakes so must have shown something at home. African Oil was foaled as early as is possible with a 1st January date & he could be quite physically forward with half the year's sun on his back, at odds of 14/1 he's the one to be on for the win. Of the horses to have run so far Huntsman's Close has shown most promise after being headed close home at Yarmouth but any of them would have to step up to take this £11,321 prize & we'll stick with the potential of the newcomer.
Selections:
Goodwood 2.35 - Michelangelo to win at 11/8 (general)
Goodwood 4.15 - African Oil to win at odds of 14/1 or bigger
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