A familiar pattern was re-established in the opening handicap race of Glorious Goodwood 2013 when the Hannon-Hughes partnership claimed the first victory of the week with Viewpoint (16/1). Both the trainer and jockey have an excellent record at the course and it could be another successful festival for them.
Viewpoint was almost last as the field passed the two furlong marker but Hughes brought his mount wide round the field and only hit the front inside the final half-furlong. Interestingly, Viewpoint remains an entry in the Betfred Mile on Friday.
Brown Sugar (8/1) under Pat Dobbs then immediately gave Richard Hannon a second win of the afternoon in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes, with the stable’s more fancied runner Anticipated (7/2) finishing fast and just a neck back in second place.
The feature race of the first day, the Lennox Stakes (Group 2), went to Richard Fahey’s Garswood (9/4f) in a tight finish, ridden by Ryan Moore. Just like Viewpoint in the opening race, Garswood was brought wide, round the field and only struck the front a few strides from the line.
Moore made it a winning double for the afternoon aboard Brazos (3/1) in the maiden stakes beating Mark Johnston’s Lyn Valley (8/1) by a neck.
Harris Tweed (14/1) was an impressive six-length winner of the Summer Handicap for trainer William Haggas and jockey George Baker. He was always near the head of the field and simply galloped away from his rivals.
There was no joy for punters in the ‘lucky last’. Tidal’s Bay (25/1) and Six Wives (20/1) were the first two home in the final handicap under very light weights but Cruise Tothelimit (7/1 jf) did claim third place for each-way money.
