Glorious Goodwood (14.05): Keble to deliver under Dettori
Keble has some strong form to his name, and looks the answer to the 1m 2f handicap that opens proceedings on day three of Glorious Goodwood (14.05).
The John Gosden trained colt shaped really well on seasonal reappearance when runner-up to Intilaaq in a 15-runner maiden at Newbury, staying on well from off the pace after a slow start to be beaten eight lengths.
Although now match for the easy winner, Intilaaq is a very smart sort now rated 114 after winning the Listed JLT Stakes in impressive fashion so in the circumstances it was a solid effort given how the race panned out.
Keble backed that up with a fine keeping on 1 3/4 length second to Scottish at the same venue after being hampered at the start, and the winner has since gone on to finish a cracking second in King Goerge V Stakes at Royal Ascot and is now rated 95.
That is strong form in the context of this contest, and Keble duly went one better next time up to open his account over course and distance with an easy 1 3/4 length success.
The son of Teofilo also ran very well on his handicap debut last time out at Windsor when going down by just a neck to an unexposed rival, and now gets fitted with the cheekpieces for the first time.
If the new headgear has the desired effect, Keble looks weighted to take all the beating in the hands of in-form jockey Frankie Dettori off a mark of 91.
Racing History has won his two starts this season in the manner of a three-year-old going places and rates a massive danger.
After easily winning a maiden at Haydock by five lengths, the Saeed bin Suroor trained colt looked a potential pattern performer in the making when showing an impressive turn of foot to score on handicap debut at Chester earlier in the month.
Racing History dwelt at the start in the latter, and seemed unsuited by the track and seemingly going nowhere when pushed along three from home.
However, the son of Pivotal responded to the urgings of jockey Kevin Stott and picked up in tremendous style in the straight to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths.
Racing History has been hit with a 9lb rise for that success, but given the manner of the victory he may still be ahead of the assessor and should have plenty more to offer after just three starts.
The big question mark is whether he will be suited by the undulations of Goodwood, and for that reason the course and distance winning form of Keble earns him the narrow vote on this occasion.
Coral’s top tip: Punters could clean up if they back Keble.
