Ryan's Lady Too Big At Goodwood

Another disastrous day for the blog today, with Castanea running an absolute shocker. He never got involved, finishing tailed off, and it was a very disappointing effort. Hopefully tomorrow's selection at Goodwood will run better.

The filly I am interested in is Lady Nayef who goes in the 3.15 at Goodwood. She makes her handicap debut off a mark of just 67, and there is reason to believe she could be well treated. She has already had eight starts, including a run in Listed company (7f good to firm) at Ascot where she had only three behind her in finishing 9th. One of those behind her was Cymric, who has gone on to win a maiden and then finish 4th in a Group 3.

She was sent off at 50/1 in a class 2 maiden at this track over 6f (good) on her next run, and she ran a cracking race to finish 5th, with a host of next time out winners in her vicinity. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th have all gone on to win since, so it looks a strong piece of form.

Lady Nayef travelled to Lingfield for her next start (5f) on heavy ground, and she was sent off 5/2, just failing to reel in the winner and going down by less than a length. In all honesty she was probably given too much to do by her jockey and should have won, but she really seemed to relish the easy ground, and the way she finished off her race suggested 6f on soft would bring out the best in her. Her last run came at Yarmouth (6f good) but she didn't run to her best and I am willing to put a line through that effort due to the ground.

There are major doubts about the majority of her opponents with regards to their capability on a soft surface, and Addicted To Luck is the only other horse in the field with good form on such ground. Lady Nayef looks sure to appreciate the return to this venue and with the very capable young claimer Ryan Powell also taking off a handy 3lbs she should hopefully run a huge race at the generous odds of 14/1.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.15 GOODWOOD-LADY NAYEF (14/1)