Look Sharp

With the ground changing dramatically on Wednesday, the field for the G2 Qatar Richmond S. at Goodwood on Thursday could change markedly but as things stand it appears to be an up-to-scratch renewal headed by the G2 July S. winner Cardsharp (GB) (Lonhro {Aus}). Saddled with a three-pound penalty as a result of his defeat of U S Navy Flag (War Front), the G2 Coventry S. scorer Rajasinghe (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) and Wednesday's G3 Molecomb S. runner-up Invincible Army (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in that July 13 Newmarket contest, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's homebred, who was previously third in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot on June 22, will be tested here. “We did toy with the idea of going to the Phoenix next, but this is a very valuable and prestigious Group 2,” trainer Mark Johnston's son and assistant Charlie said. “We thought we could come here en route to the Morny, or something like that. The deciding factor was how well he came out of Newmarket. He didn't lose any weight and was absolutely bouncing. Considering he behaved like a clown there, he is in very good form with himself. He has won on slow ground when he won the Brian Yeardley at Beverley so when the rain comes he is likely to handle it.”

Second and beaten just a head by Rajasinghe in the Coventry at Royal Ascot on June 20, The Royal Ascot Racing Club's Headway (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) bids to give his first-season sire a notable double following the Molecomb success of Havana Grey (GB) on Wednesday. The syndicate's racing manager Harry Herbert commented, “He ran a terrific race at Ascot. William Haggas has given him plenty of time off after what was a hard race at Ascot. The big concern is the ground, as I'm not sure he would want it very soft as he is a good-actioned horse. He should handle the track as he is a very fast and well-balanced horse, although you can never tell until they run on it. It looks the right spot for him and the form of the Coventry has held up well.” Ninth in the Coventry, Julie and David Martin's Nebo (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) bounced back to push Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to a head when runner-up in Newmarket's G2 Superlative S. over seven furlongs on July 15. Trainer Charlie Hills is happy that his charge will handle conditions after he scored on soft on debut at Newbury on May 19. “We said we would bring him back to six if it was soft ground and keep him at seven if it was quick,” he explained. “He is a very tough, genuine 2-year-old. I've been delighted with his work since Newmarket and I am looking forward to running him again.”