Bert€™s Bouguereau, in Tuesday€™s Betfair sponsored Gordon Stakes, and the Comic Strip Heroes€™ Winker Watson, in Wednesday€™s Sussex Stakes, are declared runners at Goodwood this week. They face just five and six rivals respectively and hopes are high for a bold show from both.
I have a slight concern about the ground being too fast for Bouguereau if the current heatwave continues. His form to date suggests that he is more effective with some ease in the ground and Alan Munro cited the firm ground as an explanation for his defeat when favourite for the Italian Derby. However, Peter Chapple-Hyam has always felt that his action should suit a sound surface and is happy enough for him to take his chance.
Rodger Sargent, Bert€™s partner in the ownership of Mon Michel and King€™s Head, is desperate for Bert to send Bouguereau hurdling. I wouldn€™t rule out a Cheltenham appearance at some point.
Winker Watson finally gets to meet Henrythenavigator after having to miss the 2000 Guineas and St. James€™s Palace Stakes following injury. His comeback run in France was his first race in over a year and he now faces with a triple Group 1 winning rival off level weights. The Comic Strip Heroes are still awaiting their first winner of the year. This wouldn€™t be a bad place to start and, if he pulls it off, I wouldn€™t expect to get home for a day or two !