Wally’s Wagers: Postponed digs in for win

After the late withdrawal of Golden Horn due to unexpected soft ground, Saturday’s Group 1 looked more like a good Group 2 on paper.

Jockey Andrea Atzeni burst through with two furlongs to go and rallied when headed to just get ahead on the line, Eagle Top and jockey Frankie Dettori having to settle for second place.

After his first British Group 1 victory in 10 years trainer Luca Cumani said: “It was a fantastic race and Andrea gave him a peach of a ride.

“They were locked together in battle and I had no idea who had won.”

John Gosden, trainer of Golden Horn, said: “It is very frustrating, the horse is in superb form, looking the best and going on his work the best he ever has.”

The Juddmonte International at York next month is now the likely target, which is exciting for local racegoers who will get to see the star horse on the Knavesmire.

Congratulations to York racecourse, who put on a fantastic event last weekend.

Friday’s night meeting alone attracted a staggering 40,000 spectators to the track and the Saturday card was equally well supported in terms of crowd numbers.

Tullius ran an excellent race to win the feature event on Saturday afternoon in the Group 2 York Stakes.

But the highlight for me was the turn of foot Tanzeel showed to win the Dash.

The Charlie Hills trained four-year-old looked very smart.

All eyes will turn to Goodwood this week for their five-day showpiece.

I keep a close eye on trainer Mark Johnston as a rule, he has a fantastic record at the meeting, his horses normally appreciate the stiff course and his team all go there in fine form.

The Qatar King George stakes on Friday is the first race I will concentrate on.

This is a typically fast five furlong sprint with a vast amount of quality on show.

Muthmir is the horse I’m fairly confident of, if it runs.

The drop down into a Group 2 should make him more competitive. Also the fact he returns to five furlongs, having raced at six last time is also appealing.

You could probably make a case for half the field, but if the gaps open Muthmir will be there or thereabouts.

The feature race on Saturday is the Qatar Nassau stakes, with the winner set to pocket over £340,000.

Legatissimo is the horse I fancy to take the prize back to Ireland.

The David Wachman filly was unlucky last time out and if she returns to the form of May when winning the 1,000 Guineas she will be hard to beat.

The Qatar Stewards Cup is a minefield for punters.

Having backed Huntsman Close in the Royal Ascot meeting only to watch him unship his jockey was disappointing as I believed he had a great chance.

Wally’s Wagers

Friday

Goodwood 3.45 Muthmir 3­/1

Saturday

Goodwood 3.45 Huntsman Close 10­/1