Goodwood Cup Betting Advice

July 29, 2008 - Donald Jones Racegoers at the Glorious meeting should have a day to savour on Thursday as they will witness a star of the equine world in action in the Group Two Goodwood Cup (3.30). The star is Yeats and he will face 10-rivals in a contest run over 2m. This is an exceptional animal and if you can get-on at prices around the 4/5 mark I think you will have had a good bet.  It is worth reminding ourselves about some of the Ballydoyle runner's big race highlights.

The son of Saddlers Wells is the first since Sagaro in the 1970s to achieve a hat-trick of Gold Cup wins. He has also won this race before - in 2006 as a five-year-old.  His most recent victory was memorable. French Raider Coastal Path travelled to Royal Ascot with great expectations - four furlongs from home the pair made their move. Long-time rivalGeordieland also entered the fray and at the two furlong marker all three looked to have a chance. But Yeats, in a breathtaking display found more stormed clear to denyGeordieland by five lengths. 

Afterwards trainer Aidan O'Brien told waiting television crews. "I don't think there is any horse that can stay on the bridle, stare him in the face and beat him.  "He is a very straight forward horse, very sound and he has got a massive heart and lungs. His genes need to be preserved."

Those remarks about 'heart and lungs' were not widely picked up by the media at the time but I believe them to be significant. Just when other contenders struggle Yeats is just getting going. That gives you great confidence as a punter.  This is a strong renewal, it will be no walkover and the selection has a 5lb Group 1 penalty.

Sir Michael Stoute returns with Allegretto who won this race last year and Distinction, another contender, won in 2005.  Successful betting is about finding value and sometimes we just have to accept that the value in a particular race that value might be odds-on.

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