Matt Chapman's Friday Flutters at Goodwood

Matt has a feeling for Big Mojo in the 15:05.

Matt Chapman’s Friday Goodwood betting tips

13:20 Align The Stars (each-way)
13:55 Opera Ballo
14:30 Bopedro (each-way)
15:05 Big Mojo
15:45 Liberty Lane

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

ITV Racing is back for Day 4 of Glorious Goodwood, starting with a handicap over an extended 2m4f.

One-time St Leger hope ALIGN THE STARS might cause a ripple here for Charlie Johnston and Christophe Soumillon. A seventh in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot wasn’t a bad performance, suggesting this trip is not totally out of his compass, and his fifth at Newmarket last time wasn’t too bad.

He’s down another pound, and I’m not sure this is the strongest renewal of all time. An each-way chance.

The Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes for 3yo over 1m. I’m not sure about Cosmic Year after a poor effort at Deauville, but he might bounce back here down in class. I’m happy to stick with the exciting OPERA BALLO, who has done nothing wrong other than blow out in the Craven Stakes, where he pulled too hard.

The Godolphin runner impressed at Sandown and Newmarket in two recent wins and seems to be going the right way for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.

Another handicap now in the Golden Mile over, you’ve guessed it, 1m. BOPEDRO was fifth in this last year off 96, and hasn’t won a race since, yet goes in off 98 here.

All in all, he’s a badly handicapped horse, especially at the age of nine. That all said, Hector Crouch can have fun with this ride as there’s no pressure from a horrible draw in stall 16. The old boy will be dropped out and ridden cold to try and fly home late. I’ll chance a few quid each-way. Trainer David O’Meara is great in these races, and ground conditions are not an issue.

Sprinting here in the Group 2 King George Stakes over 5f. Celandine might go well at long odds, but I’m happy to stick with BIG MOJO, who is fast and solid for Tom Marquand and Mick Appleby.

This season, the crack juvenile has been second in the July Cup and seventh in the Commonwealth Cup. Both of those are over 6f, and I suspect he will love dropping back to 5f. Has a big mojo of a chance.

A conditions race over 1m1f. LIBERTY LANE has to give some weight away but will probably take all the beating for Clifford Lee and Karl Burke. My hope flopped at Royal Ascot in the Wolferton, over a bit further, but he scored well at this track the time before, and this level should be within his reach. When he’s on a going day, he’s quite a decent horse.

So, best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me, Paddy?

Matt Chapman’s Friday Goodwood betting tips

13:20 Align The Stars (each-way)
13:55 Opera Ballo
14:30 Bopedro (each-way)
15:05 Big Mojo
15:45 Liberty Lane

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.