Bring on the jumpers

For the first time 'Glorious' Goodwood has proved to be an infuriating meeting. The contours of the track mean traffic problems are inevitable and that certainly proved to the case as far as Khairaat and UAE Prince were concerned in the opening ten furlongs handicap on Tuesday. There were no excuses for Garcia in the same event but one can't help feeling the other two would have gone mighty close with a trouble free run.

Another Top 40 entry Frontispiece ran well in the mile and a quarter handicap this afternoon. Sir Michael Stoute's colt had disappointed at Sandown last time but ran much better on this occasion. I still maintain he is crying out for further and could be one for the valuable twelve furlongs handicap for three year olds at Ascot in early September. He is not the quickest and may even be considered for the Melrose Stakes at York over fourteen furlongs. I would be surprised if he didn't stay. Obviously the weather hasn't helped or the testing conditions but the meeting hasn't excited me.

Switching codes, I have conducted four interviews for the forthcoming edition of One Jump Ahead over the last couple of days. Not surprisingly, Philip Hobbs and Harry Fry have formidable squads for the winter ahead, while Ben Pauling appears strong in the bumper department. Indeed, Nicky Henderson's former assistant gave me the names of the four unraced bumper horses he believes are his best for 2017/2018. A new addition this year is Herefordshire based Tom Lacey, who has made his name with former pointers and also selling on some of his best ammunition. Full up with 46 horses, Tom had a good season last term and threatens to have an even better one this time around. He has got some potentially very exciting youngsters. He is a terrific addition to the Talking Trainers section.