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Black Book

Glorious Goodwood, Galway offer best of both worlds

By Keith Hamer

LONDON, July 27 PA - No weeks in the summer are as eagerly-awaited as the one that embraces Glorious Goodwood and the Galway Festival.

Five days of top-class Flat racing in a superb setting makes Goodwood an appealing venue, while Galway go the whole hog with an entire week's fare comprising of racing on the level and over jumps.

This year though, Goodwood is anticipating more interest than ever thanks to the intended appearance of Frankel.

The world's highest-rated racehorse is guaranteed to pack in the crowds when he lines up for the Sussex Stakes on the Wednesday.

The Sir Henry Cecil-trained colt was simply awesome at Royal Ascot when he took his unblemished record to 11 wins with an 11-length romp in the Queen Anne Stakes.

While it will take a very brave man to oppose Frankel - bookmakers are going an incredible 1-20 about his chance - Godolphin are willing to have a go with the progressive Farhh, runner-up in the Eclipse on his latest start.

There is no end to the interest throughout the entire meeting on the Sussex Downs.

The Gordon Stakes on the Tuesday is usually a guide to the St Leger while Thursday features the Goodwood Cup, in which Godolphin plan to run Ascot Gold Cup hero Colour Vision.

The Goodwood Mile is the main supporting race that day and John Gosden's Trade Commissioner is likely to be a warm order for this valuable handicap after his win at Sandown earlier this month.

Gosden has a hot contender in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes in the shape of Izzi Top on the Saturday.

The four-year-old filly has won all her three races this season and will be hard to beat if she reproduces her performance in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh last time. She could be joined by stablemate The Fugue, third in the Oaks at Epsom.

The Stewards' Cup over the lightning-quick six furlongs is always a sight to behold and a full field of runners should line-up the same day after 130 horses were entered for this prestigious sprint handicap.

Galway will be a test of endurance for racegoers and punters alike, with a mix of all types of races over seven days either in the afternoon or evening.

Dermot Weld has enjoyed tremendous success at the Ballybrit course over the years. The Curragh handler registered a record 16 winners during the week last year and will no doubt have mapped out the meeting for many of his horses.

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