Golden Mile Handicap Tips: Hendrix Can Hit The Right Note

One of the big handicaps of the week at Glorious Goodwood is the Golden Mile. A stacked field with huge variations in weight will be hoping to bag the valuable prize, and Billy Grimshaw has been tasked with finding the winner for us... 

William Buick is having a whale of a time at Glorious Goodwood so far and if the market is correct he could be adding another winner to his record in the Golden Mile Handicap. He rides Noble Dynasty for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin and the Dubawi colt has been one of the best backed horses of the meeting, sitting at around 3/1 favourite at the time of writing. His claims are obvious, with his return from an eight month lay-off and a gelding operation proving fruitful when winning a Newmarket handicap last time out over the same distance. He is a brother to Barney Roy, an outstanding miler in his day, and with just a three pound penalty to carry for this contest he is sure to be a major player.

Another Godolphin runner is next in the market in Shining Blue for Saeed bin Suroor. He is yet to taste defeat in three starts but probably lacks the experience required for the hustle and bustle of a Glorious Goodwood handicap so can be passed on. Blue For You is a similar price for O'Meara and Tudhope and has better claims, He has been knocking on the door with a couple of second placed efforts at York and has both a favourable low draw and a 3lb drop in the weights to aid his chances in this race. He looks one for place pots or each-way punters but could be vulnerable to one improving past him for win purposes. Sinjaari has it all to do to win this race off top weight but is a consistent type for Roger Charlton and looked better than ever as a six year old John Smith's Cup winner last time out at Sandown so cannot be discounted. Ryan Moore will be aboard The Turpinator and comes here off the back of a good win at this course last time out over seven furlongs. The step up in trip could perhaps find him out, however, as his stamina is questionable.  

Escobar was a good third in this race last season and is a horse you can neatly always rely on to run his race for David O'Meara. With his iconic name, reliable name and Frankie on board he is sure to prove popular. Ahead of him 12 months ago in second was Rhoscolyn who has been busy this campaign, including running at Ascot just a week ago. He faces a stiffer task this season but should be in contention.

There are plenty in here one could make at least place bet claims for, especially with a couple of firms paying seven places. Orbaan looks overpriced in the place part of the each-way bet, while Ouzo falls into that category as well with their solid records meaning they can never be discounted from hitting the frame. However, I like to have a bet in a big race like this on one I think has a realistic win chance not just hunting for places and I was very impressed with the three year old JIMI HENDRIX last time out at Newmarket when despite a slow start and being carried across the track he still had enough to win. This came on the back of a good third in the Britannia and this is clearly a colt on an upward trajectory. With the featherweight he is being tasked with carrying and the experience of his last few runs proving invaluable, I think he is considerably overpriced to go back to back and upset the hot favourite for in-form jockey Rob Hornby and Ralph Beckett.