Green Destiny courts appeal at Goodwood

GREEN Destiny looks a blot on the handicap in the totesport Mile at Glorious Goodwood.

Those who had backed him at Royal Ascot will have watched through one eye, however, as the William Haggas-trained four-year-old then hacked up in the John Smith's Cup at York.

He was sent off a red-hot favourite for the Wolferton Handicap at the Royal meeting, but never got the run of the race.

Before that outing, of course, Green Destiny had excelled in a Newmarket handicap, which provoked talk of him being a Pattern-race performer.

That theory was then emboldened on the Knavesmire, when his Ascot trespasses were forgiven with a towering display from off the pace under Adam Beschizza. Although this one-mile trip might be considered his bare minimum these days, Green Destiny has just a 3lb penalty to shoulder at Goodwood, a prospect which is instantly offset by Beschizza's claim.

An adjusted mark of 101 for this assignment - he is officially rated 109 - therefore looks of great appeal and his favourable draw only enhances confidence in the selection.

Such is the regard in which he is held by Haggas, it would be surprising if Green Destiny were to remain in handicaps after this outing on the Downs.

Two-year-old Acclamation colt Harbour Watch already gets the chance to flaunt his considerable wares in Group Two company, and should not be dismissed lightly for the Tanqueray Richmond Stakes.