Glorious Goodwood 2016: Fire Fighting among Tuesday tips
Published:
David Metcalf | July 25, 2016
Fire Fighting can prove too hot to handle
Trainer Mark Johnston does well with his runners at Goodwood and Fire Fighting can cash-in on a drop in the weights to provide him with another winner in the 1m 2f handicap (14.00).
This gelding is an ultra-tough and consistent sort who enjoyed a terrific 2015 when triumphing four-times.
The included successes in Listed contests at Dundalk and Kempton off an official rating of 108 and Fire Fighting is now able to race off 102.
That gives the five-year-old major claims from a handicapping perspective, especially judged on his fine third in this race 12 months ago off 8lb higher.
Although yet to get his head in front this season Fire Fighting has run well on his last two starts, finishing seventh of 15 to Sir Isaac Newton in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot and a staying on three length sixth of 19 to Educate in the valuable John Smith’s Cup at York.
The form of those class 1 races reads extremely well in the context of this lower grade class 2 affair and Fire Fighting looks weighted to take all the beating on the pick of his form.
Shore Step ready to cut a dash
Shore Step shaped with plenty of promise on seasonal reappearance and looks the answer to the 5f handicap (16.20).
The Mick Channon trained gelding has not scored since landing a handicap at Doncaster back in September 2014 but did post a series of solid efforts to be placed in ultra-competitive handicaps last season.
They included a fine second of 20 to Tanzeel at York and a cracking fourth of 27 to Golden Steps in the Stewards’ Cup over 6f at this venue when beaten just over two lengths off a mark of 92.
Shore Steps is now able to race off just 1lb higher and comes into the contest having shown plenty of dash until weakening close home to be beaten just over a length in a decent 6f affair at Ascot.
That should have put the six-year-old spot on for this and the drop back to the minimum trip should hold no fears.
Haggle handicapped to strike
In the 1m handicap that closes proceeding (17.30), Haggle looks to have got in lightly and can make a winning return to action.
The Luca Cumani trained filly has only had three starts and shaped with bags of promise on the first of those when third to the classy Ballydoyle in a 10-runner maiden at Newmarket.
Haggle dwelt at the start but quickly recovered and kept on nicely under tender handling to be beaten five lengths.
The winner and runner-up Nemoralia are now rated 112 and that makes Haggle’s opening handicap mark of 93 look exploitable.
Haggle duly built on that effort to land a 1m contest at Newmarket and was far from disgraced in her final start of 2015 when third in a Listed contest at headquarters.
She could be a pattern race performer masquerading as a handicapper and if ready to roll at the first time of asking can take this en route to better things.
Tuesday tips
14.00: Fire Fighting (NAP)
14.35: War Decree
15.10: Dutch Connection
15.45: Francis Of Assisi
16.20: Shore Step
16.55: Best Solution
17.30: Haggle (NB)
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