The Qatar Goodwood Festival begins on Tuesday with the Group 1 Goodwood Cup the feature race at 3:35pm. Matty Sutcliffe has scoured the card for some value bets and has three selections across three different races.
Goodwood Racing Tips (Tuesday 28 July 2026)
Matty has a trio of selections for the opening day of Glorious Goodwood all of which will be shown live on ITV.
13:50 Goodwood – Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+) – Midak 11/1 1pt EW 5 places
Jamie Spencer rode the winner of this race in 2023 for the same owners as Midak, who looks to have been targeted toward this since joining Ian Williams.
The Footstepsinthesand gelding landed a hattrick for Francis Graffard last spring, and was held in high enough regard to be sent off single figures for the Epsom Derby. He finished down the field there and his next three starts, including two for Ian Williams, were below par, but he’s got the eye strongly in two races since returning from a break.
He travelled strongly into contention on his yard debut from rear under Jamie Spencer in a listed contest here last month, before weakening late on. It was a similar performance in the Steventon Stakes down to this trip, though he was notably keen throughout. He began to weaken and looked as if he may tail off, but despite the tender handling, he finished full of running to finish a four lengths fifth.
He drops into handicap company for this first time on what looks a more than workable mark, and this big field scenario looks to suit him judged on his last two efforts.
14:25 Goodwood – Coral Vintage Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) – Al Hudaiba 6/4 1.5pt
Charlie Appleby has won this twice since 2019 and Al Hudaiba can extend that record, particularly if the first time blinkers ensure he’s less wayward. He looked promising when downing the 4/7 in a comfortable manner on debut.The second won next time out and was only beaten two lengths in the Coventry.
He displayed a quirky nature when unseating Tom Marquand late on at Yarmouth when looking sure to follow up. He made no mistake at Newmarket next time out, and did very well to get back up to beat 8/13F in the Superlative Stakes.
He again showed his quirks having hung and jinked late on, but he displayed a willing attitude to take the lead and win by a short head. He holds Haffner on that form, and if the blinkers have the desired effect, he should take some stopping.
15:00 Goodwood – HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (Group 2) – Qirat 9/2 1pt WIN
Qirat was a shock 150/1 winner of the Sussex Stakes here last season when pitched in as a pacemaker for Field Of Gold. The jockeys in behind got it completely wrong there, as Qirat and Serengeti were going slow enough despite their duties. While it was a fluke, it’s undeniable that he still quickened well enough in the final stages and even when Rosallion came too him, he was able to hold him off and pull out more.
He couldn’t replicate those tactics next time out at York, but it was still a credible performance with the race favouring those on the nearside. Since then, he’s failed to match that form until equipped with a tongue-tie in the Criterion last time, where he gamely fended off the two short priced favourites Never So Brave and Saber Strike.
I thought that latest effort was very impressive, and he could be severely underestimated once more here. His record at this trip reads 12112251. his course form reads 111, and given he arrives on the back of a career best RPR he has to be considered again here.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Tuesday 28 July
13:3013:50 Goodwood – Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+) – Midak 11/1 1pt EW 5 places York – Sky Bet ‘Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe’ Handicap (To Be Ridden By Professional Jump Jockeys) (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-80) – Ventura Express 22/1 0.5pt EW 5 places
14:25 Goodwood – Coral Vintage Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) – Al Hudaiba 6/4 1.5pt
15:00 Goodwood – HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (Group 2) – Qirat 9/2 1pt WIN
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Goodwood on Tuesday 28 July.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 10.44am on Monday 27 July.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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