Dutch Connection To Be Glorious At Goodwood

Tuesday sees the start of Glorious Goodwood’s Festival in which the Group 2 Lennox Stakes over 7f (3.10) attracts some classy individuals, including last year’s runner-up, Toormore.

Toormore On A Mission
Richard Hannon’s 4yo was touched off just 1/4l that day, and comes back to try and put that right on Tuesday. Officially rated 119, he is the best horse on paper and has made the top three in eight of 11 career outings, including when beaten only 1/4l in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May (1m, good).

Beaten over 3l in a Group 1 at Ascot following that, Toormore, will appreciate this step back to Group 2 company and has been backed to go well.

Respect The 3yo’s
Charles Hills’, Dutch Connection, is also in the line-up. This 3yo won a Group 3 at Royal Ascot over 7f (good to firm), before improving upon that in defeat when beaten just 1/2l in a French Group 1 a few weeks ago (1m, good). The step back to 7f on Tuesday will suit and a repeat of that Group 1 effort last time could be good enough here.

Another positive is that Dutch Connection is a 3yo, as that age group, along with 5yo’s, have dominated this event…

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Lennox winners…

10 returned 8/1 or shorter
10 were officially rated 110+
9 were 3 or 5yo’s – 4yo’s were only 1-28
9 ran in a Group race last time
9 made the top four last time
8 won during their last three runs

Will Limato Stay The Distance?
Another 3yo of interest is Henry Candy’s, Limato, who won his first five career outings, prior to a couple of runner-up efforts in Group 2 company and then the Group 1 Commonwealth at Ascot last month. Each of those seven outings came over 6f, but with his dam a 1m2f winner, Limato could prove even better at 7f.

Fellow 3yo, Tupi, is also respected for the Richard Hannon yard having impressed in winning by almost 3l in Listed company at Newmarket three weeks ago (1m, good to firm). He was beaten over 1l by Dutch Connection at Ascot, though, so it’s possible 1m suits better.

Safety In Numbers
Godolphin’s, Safety Check, is also a 5yo who arrives in winning form, although he hasn’t been seen since recording a winter treble in Dubai, including two Group 2’s. One with more recent form, though, is fellow 5yo, Absolutely So, who won a Listed sprint last month (6f, good to firm). As a C&D winner last season, he handles conditions and should be considered for Andrew Balding.

With past winners of this race traditionally rated 110 or more, then Hugo Palmer’s, Ascription (rated 110), could make the frame having recorded a career best second in Group 3 company last time. A winner over 1m at this meeting 12 months ago, he has the form, despite being a 6yo.

Recommended Bets
An absolutely cracking renewal in which Toormore heads back to try and go one further than last year.

However, with 4yo’s having performed poorly in this, the vote goes to Dutch Connection.

This 3yo was narrowly beaten in a French Group 1 last time, but will enjoy this drop to Group 2 company.