Betfair Celebration Mile betting and odds

Goodwood returns to our TV screens on Saturday with the Betfair Celebration Mile the undisputed highlight, writes Mikey Mumford. The Group 2 event features British and Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Dubawi Gold and last year’s winner Poet’s Voice. A tight knit field of seven runners, four of whom boast course and distance winning form, will head to post for a share of the £100,000 purse.

Goodwood Celebration Mile odds

Beacon Lodge: Yet to back up his reappearance win at Haydock this year but he has put in a series of good placed efforts for trainer Clive Cox. He finished best of those behind the useful Excelebration in the Hungerford a fortnight ago and must have a chance on that evidence. Unlikely to meet another rival as good as him, and has won over a mile albeit not at this track, each-way hopeful.

Emerald Commander: Absent for the whole of the 2010 campaign but made amends with a comeback victory in a listed event at Pontefract in July. That was a three-runner affair though over 1m4f but he did beat the progressive St Moritz and must have a chance dropped back to a mile. From the Godolphin yard, he was mightily disappointing at Salisbury latest and needs to bounce back.

Poet’s Voice: Without a run on British soil so far this year but was second to Wigmore Hall at Meydan in March. He ended 2010 with a poor run at Newmarket over 1m2f but prior to that had racked up consecutive successes including over this course and distance. Has won on both soft and firm ground but wouldn’t want too much rain, shortlisted.

Premio Loco: Consistent performer who hasn’t had it all his own way in his three runs so far this year. He failed to make an impression in all those outings over a mile despite his liking for good to firm ground. Out of sorts at the moment but wouldn’t rule out an improved performance here.

Riggins Useful: on the all-weather at the back end of 2010 but failed to transfer that form onto turf this campaign. Tried at 1m2f at Ascot three runs back but never got going and drop to a mile didn’t help next time at Goodwood. Did not get a clear run 2f out at York last time but was already well beaten and unsure about his best trip, best watched.

Set The Trend: Another previous course and distance winner here in May making all to defy odds of 10/1. He probably needed the run at Doncaster on his reappearance but his Goodwood win should have boosted confidence and Andrew Balding’s runner can well again at the track he seems to have a liking for. Will want the ground no softer than good though and sniff of a chance should he get conditions.

Dubawi Gold: Came up against some useful types the last twice in Excelebration and Frankel prior to his seconds in the British and Irish 2000 Guineas. Dropped back to 7f by Richard Hannon last time and never really got competitive and will appreciate step up to a mile. He represents the stables main hope after Strong Suit was withdrawn because of softening conditions on Thursday.

Strong Suit’s withdrawal has took a little gloss of the race but still a competitive renewal nonetheless. Poet’s Voice comes here on the back of a Meydan second in March and should be thereabouts although the lack of a recent run might prove his undoing. Set The Trend is interesting after his latest course and distance win but DUBAWI GOLD should have a race like this in him and can bounce back from a disappointing Hungerford for connections. [Mikey Mumford]

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