Amabilis has a professional special look for the Maiden Fillies' Stakes over seven furlongs of good to firm Glorious Goodwood this afternoon, third stage of the fabulous five-day meeting which is as fiercely-competitive as any other in the racing calendar.
Form is golden, often works out superbly for the remainder of every season and with this being staged on a lightning fast surface we're looking forward to the next few weeks.
Don't send a thoroughbred to this venue for two-year-old race in late July unless convinced it is above average. Ralph Beckett knows instinctively what is required and he'll be expecting Amabilis to go one better, judged a promising debut over a similar distance at Newmarket nineteen days ago, when beaten half a length by Dabyah. That resulted in a useful time-handicap mark.
Frankie Dettori takes over from Ryan Moore who is claimed by Aidan O'Brien for Rhododenron, also second first-up to Rehana at Leopardstown last month when faring best of three Coolmore runners.
Obviously, Rhododendron will be strongly-fancied and probable favourite but Amabilis hit a mark that wins this-type race nine times out of ten. If this Khaled Abdulla-owned Champs Elysees filly is available at 2/1 or better she will carry my wedge.
Five go to post for the �20000 group two Richmond Stakes over six furlongs. That's a pathetic turn-out and because it's too difficult I'm more interested in backing Whigwham each-way in an eight-runner Maiden Fillies' Stakes over five furlongs at Nottingham where good to firm is also forecast.
Whigwham ticks all the necessary boxes; two runs, better second time out, trained by Richard winning machine Fahey and mount of proficient stable jockey, Tony Hamilton.
My play will be an each-way double (if all go to post!) into Amabilis.
Safest bet of the day is oncer-raced Serengeti Sky, clear 'best-in' for a seven-runner Maiden Stakes at Epsom under James Doyle.
Charlie Appleby's charge will go off at a short price but represents a definitive anchor for our DAILY PATENT.
SELECTIONS
10.20 WHIGWHAM (e.w)
12.20 AMABILIS
3.00 SERENGETI SKY