Don’t bet against Gifted Master causing a Lennox Stakes upset

Glorious Goodwood is about to get underway and the question on everyone’s lips is ‘who’ll stop Godolphin winning the Lennox Stakes on day one of this year’s meeting?’ 

At least, that’s what we’re pondering here.

The Group 2 feature contest is dominated by the boys in blue with Home of the Brave, Dutch Connection and Birchwood heading the market.

However, we’re swerving that trio in favour of another charge from Hugo Palmer’s stable – Gifted Master.

Prior to his recent travails in the Sandy Lane Stakes and the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot this talented three-year-old was a winner on six of his initial eight starts.

And given his trainer’s comments there’s every reason to think he can storm back into form and upset his highly-fancied rivals.

There’s little doubt that Palmer’s hat-trick chasing Home of the Brave is the standout performer.

However, he said: “They’ll both like the ground and I’ve been happy with both of them in their work. It’s a shame they have to run against each other really.

“Home Of The Brave is in great form and seven furlongs is his ideal trip, as it is for Gifted Master.

“We just felt the ground at Ascot was too soft for him (Gifted Master), so hopefully he can bounce back. There’s not a lot between them.”

Of course, the odds suggest different with Home of the Brave (2/1), Charlie Hills’ Summer Mile runner-up Dutch Connection (5/2) and Richard Fahey’s recent Chester victor Birchwood (6/1) each currently available at shorter prices than the 8/1 chance Gifted Master.

But with the latter more than capable of giving his stablemate a run for his money from the front, coupled with Palmer’s belief that there’s a cigarette paper between them, we’re siding with the underdog ahead of a fascinating Lennox Stakes renewal.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.