Follow the light at Goodwood

The Empire Property On The House Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday is a tricky contest in which each of the seven that are set to go to post could have some sort of a case made for them. Consequently, it's probably not a race to get too heavily involved in, but having said that Dunelight is worth a couple of quid at a tempting 6/1 with Ladbrokes. Although he has a bit to find with one or two on the book, he has his optimum conditions in this Listed race, which is more than could be said for the lion's share of his rivals. Moreover, he's the only confirmed front-runner in the line-up and, as we have seen on numerous occasions at Goodwood, it isn't an easy track to peg a horse back. Clive Cox's string have been in good heart during the last couple of weeks and the selection, who improved throughout last season in big one-mile handicaps on a fast surface, lost no caste in defeat when just over four lengths third to Cesare and Illustrious Blue in this grade at Ascot last month, form which was franked by the subsequent Pattern-race victory of the latter. Dunelight will be in his element back on this course where he found only one too good in the hugely competitive totesport Mile at the Glorious meeting, and the ground is likely to be lightning fast at the Sussex venue, which suits the Desert Sun colt down to the ground. I can see him nicking this race from the front, perhaps at the chief expense of Vanderlin. The last-named is more exposed than most of these, but posted a sound effort when fourth to Munaddam in a well-contested Listed heat at Haydock. Andrew Balding's charge won't mind the ground, either. Conversely, Army Of Angels, who hails from the Saeed bin Suroor stable, successful in this race 12 months ago with Satchem, has achieved all his best form on softer going. The five-year-old did the job nicely at Windsor last time, beating Take A Bow by a neck. That rival went on to score in Group 3 company at Sandown next time out, so the form is strong. However, Army Of Angels appeared to relish getting his toe in at the Berkshire course and I doubt very much that he'll been seen to best effect on Saturday. Favourite Supersonic Dave looks plenty short enough at 15/8 with the 'Magic Sign'. He's by far and away the least exposed of these, and he did well to chase home subsequent Derby fourth Lucarno at Newmarket latest. But the son of Swain gave the impression that he'd be better suited going up in trip, as opposed to dropping to a mile, in that 10-furlong contest. I might be wrong and that Brian Meehan's charge may have been sharpened up sufficiently as a result of that seasonal bow to show his rivals a clean pair of heals back at eight furlongs. However, there's plenty to be taken on trust. A lot of trust is also required if you're to consider backing Nayyir. For all that he's much the best horse in the race, he's now nine years of age and you can never be sure whether he'll consent to put his best foot forward. Verdict - 1pt Dunelight @ 6/1 (Ladbrokes)