BetMGMBetMGM

Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Glorious Goodwood Day Three

BetMGM ambassador Megan Nicholls gives her thoughts on the horse racing world, bringing her insightful opinions and first-rate knowledge exclusively to our blog every week.

This time the former jockey, now a celebrated TV pundit, previews an exciting Ladies’ Day as Glorious Goodwood reaches its third afternoon of action.

Some of the races in her sights include the Kincsem Handicap, Markel Richmond Stakes and a competitive Group 1 Nassau Stakes.

Thursday Racing Tips

Goodwood 1.50 – Kincsem Handicap

Palace Green (11/2) has been an improver this year. He bolted up at Kempton in a novice race on his return back in April.

He also ran very well in a competitive handicap at York in May – a race that’s worked out nicely – and was very unlucky when stopped in his run several times in the Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot.

I think that was one of the strongest races of the meeting in terms of handicap, so I don’t think we can give up with this horse yet.

He’s got Oisin Murphy back on board – who he knows well – and will require a bit more luck but I still think he’s going the right way.

Megan’s Selection: Palace Green WIN

Goodwood 2.25 – Markel Richmond Stakes

I like Billboard Star (5/1) here, who has got course form previously. He was an eyecatcher on his debut when third in the British EBF Novice Stakes at Goodwood back in June. He was pretty green in the prelims but took a big step forward and looked very professional when winning at Newmarket next time.

He stepped up in grade for the July Stakes at Newmarket earlier in July, where he ran very well in second behind Whistlejacket and ahead of Aomori City, who came out and won the Vintage Stakes yesterday, so that form has had a nice boost.

He has lots of pace and travels well, so returning to this track will pose no harm whatsoever.

It’s an open-looking race – but Billboard Star for me.

Megan’s Selection: Billboard Star WIN

Goodwood 3.00 – Gordon Stakes

This is boring but I think the very short-priced favourite Jan Brueghel (5/6 fav) looks pretty progressive.

Going up to the mile-and-a-half should really suit him and bring about further improvement.

He is lightly-raced in comparison to plenty of others and I think he is the one they all have to beat.

Jan Brueghel has been pretty straightforward in both of his runs so far and back on a sounder surface he will be even more effective.

Megan’s Selection: Jan Brueghel WIN

Goodwood 3.35 – Nassau Stakes

This is really competitive.

It’s great that Emily Upjohn (15/8) has been supplemented as it adds an extra dimension to the race.

Her form has had a boost with her recent second in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh last month, with the winner Bluestocking going on to run so well in the King George at Ascot last weekend.

We know she is much better on quick ground and she gets it here for the first time this season, which is a massive plus for her. Wouldn’t it be great to see jockey Kieran Shoemark getting his first Group One on the board for the Gosden team?

Opera Singer (7/4 fav) gets a three-year-old allowance and she’s held her form nicely and posted a great run behind Porta Fortuna in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. She looked as if she did very little wrong other than being beaten by the better horse on the day. Porta Fortuna has come out and won since in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket so that run gets a further little form boost, too.

Opera Singer is up in trip for the first time to 10 furlongs so we are into unknown territory – but from what we have seen of her that doesn’t look like it should be a problem. The team is pretty sure it is going to help her improve further.

I’m also interested in Elmalka (10/1), who is up in trip. She’s definitely one who is ready for the step up to 10 furlongs, though she probably has to up it a little bit more to compete with the likes of Emily Upjohn and Opera Singer.

I do think it is between the two at the top of the market – 2lbs is the only difference in their official ratings at the moment and there’s a good difference in weight. Opera Singer gets 7lbs off Emily Upjohn and that could just be the difference here.

With this quick ground, Emily Upjohn could be very dangerous but I am going to go Opera Singer.

At a bigger each-way price, I don’t mind the chances of Stay Alert (16/1) who gets her favoured ground that she has been waiting for and may just outrun her odds. She was very impressive in the Dahlia Stakes earlier in the year.

Megan’s Selection: Opera Singer WIN; Stay Alert EW

Goodwood 4.10 – Jaeger-Lecoultre Nursery Handicap

I am going to keep this quite simple: I really like the chances of El Burhan (7/2) for George Boughey and Jim Crowley.

I think this horse does want a mile but there should be enough pace that it makes it a test.

It’s obviously a big field but the pace has been holding up really well and I imagine Jim will be quite positive, building and stretching the field at a relatively early spot.

El Burhan can be better than a rating of 90. It’s obviously not easy off of top weight in a field like this but I think he can be quite smart so I am going to stay on side with this progressive colt.

Megan’s Selection: El Burhan WIN

Browse all our horse racing markets here

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

We're sorry!

Unfortunately, BetMGM isn't available in your country.