Predictions for the Totesport Mile

July 30, 2008 - Donald Jones Friday at Glorious Goodwood and we are going to be looking at a competitive 20-runner handicap.  The Totesport Mile is a Heritage Handicap Run over a mile. A few clues to start off with. In that last ten years this race has been won by six four-year-olds and even more pertinent eight of the last ten have been drawn in either the 16 berth or higher. 

Last year's winner was the Roger Charlton-trained Third Set who had won the totesport.com International Stakes at Ascot prior to his Goodwood win. The Mark Johnston yard at one stage had Laa Rayb entered - he won the 2008 renewal of the Ascot event and had been fancied to follow in Third Set's hoof-prints. However the Middleham trainer has opted not to run him and has just Dubai's Touch in the race. 

In his favor Johnston's representative is drawn 18. However he as beaten more than 10-lengths last time out in a four-runner Doncaster conditions race by 20-1 outsider Dream Lodge. Small field events can throw up anomalies. The son of Storm Cat also has a Buckingham Palace Stakes run under his belt - he finished fifth on that day.  Dhaular Dhar, trained by Jim Goldie, finished second in the Buckingham Palace that day -  more importantly he was also runner-up Laa Rayb in the  totesport.com International Stakes. On the downside he is drawn low in stall three but at 14-1 has to be worth a bet. 

An indication of the significance of the draw can be seen in the way that Fifteen Love,  drawn widest has been cut in the betting.  Topping the weights is local danger Illustrious Blue who has an impressive record of five wins from eight appearances on the track. The William Knight-trained son of Dansili gets a fair draw in 14 and is worth an each-way dabble at 25-1.  These contests carry a health warning. Watch the market develop prior to the race.  

Recommendation:
Dhaular Dhar to win at 14-1
Illustriuos Blue each-way at 25-1

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