LEADING North-East hope Masta Plasta (4.00) is fancied to rout his rivals on day one of Glorious Goodwood.

Howard Johnson's fabulously fast two-year-old is already a Royal Ascot winner, scorching to an impressive two-length clear-cut success over Strike Up The Band in last month's Group 3 Norfolk Stakes.

Following that high-profile victory this afternoon's Molecomb Stakes was always on the agenda, although current conditions are vastly different since it's something more akin to soggy Goodwood after heavy rain at the course over the weekend.

These things always take a good deal of careful consideration, but there's nothing to really suggest Masta Plasta will be inconvenienced by the cut on the ground, indeed it may well hinder the opposition rather than slow down the selection.

The top trainer at the event over the past five years is Mark Johnston, so it makes sense to stick with the Middleham ace in the first two races via Nero's Return (2.15) and Brahminy Kite (2.50).

With a maximum field of 20 going to post for the opening Summer Stakes an each-way wager is advised on Nero's Return, who obliged at Pontefract in April when on a similarly surface.

He's been running well in big-money handicaps recently without getting a rub of the green. The hardened turf has also been a factor in his failure to get his head back in front. No excuses on that score now, and with the benefit of a handy high draw, plus the genius of Joe Fanning in the saddle, a massive run is expected from Nero's Return.

Kevin Darley's ban means Darryll Holland steps aboard Brahminy Kite in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes. Johnston and Holland are no strangers to each other, the latter famously producing one of the rides of the century to take Double Trigger on his third and final Goodwood Cup triumph in 1998.

Nothing like the same sort of roar will greet Brahminy Kite, none the less, his latest fourth placing in the Irish Derby makes him a solid contender for the prestigious mile-and-a-half contest.

Both Swift Sailor and Golden Questhave been declared in the Tatler Handicap, but I can't split the pair so I will concentrate on his next card entry, Prince Of Light (5.10).

Prince Of Light wasn't a cheap purchase at 130,000 guineas, therefore connections will be seeking to get some of their money back asap. The colt didn't perform badly when third on his Doncaster debut, and significant improvement is forcasted.

Poor Vicious Warrior (5.20) has been drawn out in the car park for the closing Darnley Handicap, but his recent couple of encouraging efforts have hinted he can take a hand in the one-mile event.

Punters swimming in far shallow waters at Beverley might be well advised to stick with the James Given's yard and support Burley Flame (3.10) for the feature race on the card, the £10,000 Debra Charity Handicap.

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