340 Thursday Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes

                                                              Vintage Stakes


The second of the three juvenile group races at Glorious Goodwood and often the most classy. Recent winners include Group one winners Shamardal, Rio De La Plata, Xtension and Olympic Glory as well as Derby winner Sir Percy. This years renewal might lack a bona fide superstar but still looks the classiest of the three contests this week

Expert- improving colt who represents the trainer/owner combination that has taken this race the past two years. 4th over an inadequate trip on debut he has improved for the move up to today's trip of 7 furlongs. A decisive winner of a maiden on Saturday he is clearly on the upgrade but was readily bested by Outstrip victim True Story the time before. Will have to take another leap forward to be involved at the finish

Lanark- Solid sort who is making his 3rd visit to Goodwood. He followed up a decent 2nd on debut with a victory, helped by main market rival unseating, from a subsequent winner. Outclassed in the Coventry he has since bounced back finishing 2nd in a useful nursery before easily taking a conditions stakes at Newbury. Trainer always to be feared at this festival and has an in form Jockey on board. However will need a few to under perform if he is to take top honours here

Outstrip- Unexposed Godolphin challenger who comes here having impressed when winning at Newmarket on debut. That looked a decent heat and the second that day True Story has since slammed Expert by 4 lengths on his next start. Has to be taken very seriously and a good chance that he will be the first group winner for trainer Charlie Appleby

Parbold- Clear form choice for the Fahey stable coming here on the back of his 2nd to War Command in the Coventry at Royal Ascot. Made a winning start to his career in a hot York maiden, 6 of the next 7 have since won, before going onto the Royal meeting. Couldn't live with the impressive winner that day and although a few in behind have since let the form down, he is still a massive runner here

Recanted- Maiden winner who was found wanting when stepped up in grade in the Superlative Stakes last time out. Didn't beat a rival that day and likely this is a better race. Not easy to see him figuring here

Rossa Corsa- Another busy juvenile from the Mick Channon yard`who has been highly tried since his maiden win at Chester. Trainer had a similarly exposed type who was narrowly beaten in this last year at massive odds but it is still unlikely to see how this 90 rated horse is going to win this

Toormore- Possibly the most interesting runner in the race who represents the trainer/jockey combination who have won this race for the past 3 seasons. Made a hughely impressive start his career at Leicester when getting the better of the very useful Ertijaal with the pair 7 lengths clear of the remainder. Hasn't been since and has reportedly had some back trouble but if totally over his physical problems he will take all the beating here

Verdict- this looks a 3 horse race, with clear form pick Parbold and the two unbeaten colts the ones to concentrate on. Parbold is respected on his Coventry second but i feel the other two may improve past him. Toormore would have been the selection for a team that have harvested this race recently if he had a trouble free prep. However with slight doubts surrounding his fitness preference goes to Outstrip who looked impressive when swooping late to deny his stablemate True Story, impressive winner since, on debut. The selection looked green that day and could easily make the necessary improvement to take a hand here

1 Outstrip
2 Toormore
3 Parbold