Cecil's attention to detail bodes well for Midday
HENRY CECIL can make a quick reappearance in Goodwood's winner's enclosure with the talented filly Midday, whom I believe is set to record a second successive victory in the Blue Square Nassau Stakes.
Midday sailed through a Sussex mist to win last year's race very comfortably and there was no stopping her after that, with this tough filly going on to win at the Breeders' Cup, in Santa Anita.
Cecil trained the hardy Lord Shanakill to win Tuesday's Betfair Cup, but significantly missed seeing the victory, preferring instead to stay in Newmarket to put the final touches to his preparation of Midday. Such attention to detail suggests that there is every confidence Midday is spot on for this event.
Strawberrydaiquiri ran slightly below par at Newmarket behind Music Show in the Falmouth, but is tough and wiry and should be worth another chance, although she has plenty to find on ratings with Midday. Confirmed front runner Barshiba, with Hayley Turner aboard, will most probably try to steal the from the front, and has a good place chance.
Parisian Pyramid is my selection in the annual charge over the hill for the Blue Sq.com Stewards' Cup. He must overcome a stands rails draw, but often by the last day of Glorious Goodwood that is not a bad place to be.
Parisian Pyramid has twice won over course and distance and beat two of today's rivals, Jonny Mudball and Rileyskeepingfaith, here in May. He could be good value each-way at 20/1.
The Richard Hannon bandwagon continued yesterday when Libranno earned a quote of 20/1 for next year's 2,000 Guineas with his all-the-way success in the Tanqueray Richmond Stakes.
(© Daily Telegraph, London)
GOODWOOD SELECTIONS -- 1.55 Rock N Roll Ransom, 2.30 Desert Myth, 3.05 Midday, 3.40 Parisian Pyramid (nap), 4.15 Pausanias, 4.50 Eucharist, 5.25 Peponi.
- JA McGrath
Irish Independent
