Magnolia blossoms to take Goodwood's Height of Fashion crown - report and Friday's tips

The weather wasn't very May-like - but the racing was absorbing enough as Goodwood's first festival of the season began.
Magnolia Springs on her way to winning the Height of Fashion Stakes / Picture by Sam StephensonMagnolia Springs on her way to winning the Height of Fashion Stakes / Picture by Sam Stephenson
Magnolia Springs on her way to winning the Height of Fashion Stakes / Picture by Sam Stephenson

There was rain falling for the first day of three on the Downs which Goodwood bosses regard as a mini-Glorious as some of the most promising horses around, including some bright two-year-old prospects, come south for a run which can define their season.

Day one's feature race was the netbet.co.uk Height Of Fashion Stakes, a listed race for fillies, in which the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Magnolia Springs, ridden by Charles Bishop, marked herself down as one to watch for the season with a two-and-three-quarter-length victory over Shaherezada after going off at 11/4.

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Johnson Houghton was delighted and said the horse's next target could be something in France or Ireland. She said: "She cruised into it really well and handled the track. I've no idea where we go from here. We will get home, talk to the owner and make a plan.

"She had no entry at Royal Ascot, as I just wanted to make sure she could race properly. She loves the trip and probably will get further, but we will stick to a mile and two at the moment. She is only going to improve, as she is very unfurnished still."

The opener, the European Breeders Fund Novice Stakes, went to 5/4 favourite Mutawaffer, ridden by Jim Crowley, who enjoyed a two-and-a-quarter length win over Shaybani to score for trainer Charlie Hills. Mutawaffer is now likely to head to Royal Ascot, possibly going in the five-furlong Norfolk Stakes.

The South Downs Water Handicap also went to the favourite - Love Dreams (9/4), trained by Goodwood's top trainer of 2017 Mark Johnston and ridden by PJ McDonald. Both the opening races were won by horses tipped on this website.

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Sussex trainer Gary Moore saw 9/1 shot Canberra Cliffs guided to a fine win by Jason Watson, beating Lady Bergamot by a neck. Moore then completed a double - as did Crowley - as they teamed up for a thrilling win for Sing Out Loud (9/2) in the Frescobaldi Handicap.

Connections celebrate Magnolia Springs' victory / Picture by Sam StephensonConnections celebrate Magnolia Springs' victory / Picture by Sam Stephenson
Connections celebrate Magnolia Springs' victory / Picture by Sam Stephenson

The first of two divisions of the Oriens Aviation/British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes was won by Heart of Grace, another 9/1 victor, this one ridden expertly by James Doyle for trainer William Haggas. The second division went to 6/1 contender Gather, earning local glory for Pulborough trainer Amanda Perrett and jockey Pat Dobbs.

The final race was the Netbet 1Million Jackpot Apprentice Handicap and it went to 2/1 favourite Oeil De Tigre with Sophie Ralston on board for Tony Carroll - another winner for our website's tips.

Friday's racing highlight - on a day when the forecast is for much brighter weather - is the listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes at 3.45pm, while Saturday brings down the curtain on the festival with a seven-race card including two listed contests, the Festival Stakes and the Tapster Stakes.

Steve Bone's Friday selections: 2.00 Blame Roberta, 2.35 Pastoral Player, 3.10 Talaaqy, 3.45 Highbrow, 4.20 Pettochside, 4.55 Gavlar, 5.25 Maygold.

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