Glorious Goodwood continues to give racing fans pulsating action, with numerous exciting contests taking place on Friday. Our man Joe Napier previews the four races live on ITV Racing and gives his verdicts.
1.50 Goodwood – Coral Goodwood Handicap
This is always an entertaining handicap to watch, and plenty could be determined by the start. Both Super Superjack and Robert Johnson have paid for slow starts with runner-up finishes recently; the former comes here with a return to form on the cards, but Hughie Morrison may have judged this season perfectly for VINO VICTRIX to come away with victory.
The six-year-old has never been the most prolific winner, but he is a solid stayer, as well as having a good record at Goodwood. Aside from a soft ground renewal of this last year, going on which his career history is significantly worse, he has form figures of 1442, with the latter two numbers recorded in good races this season.
He is now 1lb lower than for both of them, with this extra half-mile set to suit. His recent effort at Newmarket can be forgiven, coming over an inadequate 1m6f, but that has reduced his mark and may leave him spot on for this.
2.25 Goodwood – Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)
While there are plenty in here who have Pattern race experience, none of the form the leading contenders possess sets an almighty standard. Al Musmak was back to form last time, but that was in a Listed contest that set up well for a closer when he was ridden in rear.
The horse who allowed him those optimum conditions was SOCIALITE, who tore away into a clear lead. While plenty of front-runners ran well at Newmarket that day, he surely overraced, ultimately getting swamped late on and settling for fourth.
Goodwood is a track which can suit those with his racing style, however. As long as Tom Marquand does not get carried away, he retains potential at this level to dictate from the front, especially as his form in beating King’s Gamble, who opposes here, at Doncaster beforehand has been franked.
3.00 Goodwood – Coral Golden Mile
Last year’s winner emerging from stall 18 is a massive outlier in this contest, with eight of the last ten winners coming from the lowest five stalls. That is a remarkable record for a handicap such as this, and is worth following. It might therefore pay to side with CLASSIC, given a berth in stall 3 here, and who remains a four-year-old with potential.
He disappointed on soft at Sandown last time, but since an odds-on victory on that going at two, his record on slow surfaces is abysmal. He is likely better judged on an unlucky neck second at the same venue two starts back, when narrowly failing to reel in the winner having had to fight for racing room at times.
There is a chance he can still progress beyond a mark of 93 and that second at Sandown came in the biggest field he has raced in (15 runners). That scenario can aid him here too.
3.35 Goodwood – King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)
Australian mare Asfoora may well continue her productive trip over here after Group 1 glory at Royal Ascot. However, her better chance of success may ironically come at a higher level given she carries a penalty here and you would imagine the Nunthorpe at York is a bigger target.
Big Evs won here last year and remains a front-running powerhouse, but STARLUST has impressed twice over 5f this season, and this looks to be the youngster’s best distance. He has twice disappointed over 6f at Ascot in Group company, though only faded out of contention late on in the Commonwealth Cup.
After 5f, he was bang there, and he gets weight from the majority of the field here. He may well put his eminent pace to good use.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.