12 minutes Check out my tips for day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
1:20 Goodwood
Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap
MASOUN - 9/1
Masoun is thriving for his new yard and can complete a hat-trick in this ultra-competitive renewal of the Chesterfield Cup. Formerly trained in France, the four-year-old made a perfect start for Joseph O’Brien when landing back-to-back handicaps at Leopardstown and the Curragh in June, both over similar trips and in big-field scenarios that mirror today’s test. He’s clearly going the right way, has proven he can handle testing ground and pressure and the fact he’s already delivered under the same tongue-tie and rider suggests we’re yet to see his ceiling. He’s drawn to attack from stall 1 and that inside berth could be gold dust if the gaps open at the right time. With further progress on the cards, he’s well worth supporting at double-figure odds.
Castle Cove is respected after a taking reappearance win at Chester, where he powered home from off the pace. The 8lbs rise demands more, but William Haggas’s colt is unexposed and clearly improving. Likewise, Defiance is a lightly raced four-year-old who caught the eye at Epsom and looks sure to build on that seasonal return. Jolly Jack Tar brings unexposed AW form into the mix and could easily make his mark on turf, while Ancient Rome and Take Heart, winners of this race in 2023 and 2024 respectively, add further depth.
Verdict: MASOUN is thriving under Joseph O’Brien and looks primed to land a valuable handicap hat-trick from stall 1. Castle Cove and Defiance head the dangers, while Jolly Jack Tar and Ancient Rome are others to consider in a deep field.
1:55 Goodwood
Coral Vintage Stakes (Group 2)
ANDAB - 8/1
Andab shaped with plenty of promise when a strong-finishing fourth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and he looks ready to take a significant step forward now upped to 7f in this Group 2 Vintage Stakes. A winner on debut and third behind Albert Einstein in a deep Marble Hill at the Curragh, he went into Ascot as one of the best-fancied Irish challengers and did best of those held up in a race dominated by the prominent racers. That Coventry run came off the back of a reported setback, so there’s every reason to believe Joseph O’Brien’s colt will strip fitter here and the extra furlong is expected to unlock further improvement. His blend of stamina and class could prove decisive against rivals with sharper 6f form.
Dorset heads the market and represents top connections, having made all to win impressively at the Curragh over this trip. He’s open to stacks of progress and is clearly held in high regard, but he does face a proper test now. Humidity is 2-2 after landing the Chesham at Ascot, but that didn’t look the strongest renewal and he had to dig deep late on. Zavateri impressed in the July Stakes and sets the standard on form, but he has a 3lbs penalty to carry and still has to prove he stays this longer trip. Do Or Do Not keeps running well in defeat and might appreciate this distance, but remains a maiden after four starts. Laureate Crown is one to note after a strong debut win at Ascot, while Morris Dancer, Vincenzo Peruggia and Goodwood Galaxy all take big class hikes.
Verdict: ANDAB shaped much better than the bare result in the Coventry and looks primed to take a big step forward over 7f. Dorset and Humidity are the main dangers, while Zavateri has form claims but must prove his stamina under a penalty.
2:30 Goodwood
HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (Group 2)
NOBLE CHAMPION - 11/2
Noble Champion took a big leap forward when landing the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in striking style and he’s fancied to prove that performance was no fluke in this deeper Group 2 test. He travelled powerfully and quickened smartly to win going away that day, beating a strong field that included a subsequent July Cup third and the form looks rock-solid. There’s every reason to believe there’s more to come from Ed Walker’s three-year-old now that he’s found his feet at this level. He’s been brought along steadily and his pedigree and running style both suggest 7f is his optimum trip. With Kieran Shoemark retaining the ride and conditions likely to suit, he looks the value play against more exposed older rivals.
Kinross is a dual Group 1 winner and has an excellent record in this race (1213), so is sure to be popular after an eye-catching reappearance second in the John Of Gaunt Stakes. He’s a major threat if coming forward again. Jonquil is a classy three-year-old and should be much more at home back up to 7f after disappointing in the Commonwealth Cup, the French 2,000 Guineas runner-up clearly has the raw ability. Audience won this race last year but has questions to answer on recent form despite the addition of first-time cheekpieces. Ten Bob Tony and Witness Stand are in good form and capable of going well, but both need a career-best to trouble the main protagonists.
Verdict: NOBLE CHAMPION looked a potential top-notcher in the Jersey and can confirm his rapid progress against older horses. Kinross sets the standard and is an obvious threat, while Jonquil could bounce back now back up to 7f.
3:05 Goodwood
Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1)
FRENCH MASTER - 11/2
French Master has done nothing but progress since returning as a four-year-old and looks ready to take the jump into Group 1 company in his stride in this year’s Goodwood Cup. He overcame traffic problems to win over 1m6f here in May and looked even better when powering through the field to land the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot, relishing the strong pace and finishing off like a horse crying out for 2m. The way he travelled and quickened at Ascot marked him down as a Group-class stayer in waiting and this stiff 2m promises to suit ideally. The Gosdens have won this race four times since 2011 and know exactly what’s required and first-time blinkers continue to work well with this gelding. With further improvement expected, he looks the one with the most untapped potential.
Illinois sets the standard on official figures and brings rock-solid Group 1 form to the table, finishing runner-up in both the St Leger and Ascot Gold Cup. He’s tough and consistent but doesn’t always find much off the bridle and may be vulnerable late on. Scandinavia was a wide-trip eyecatcher in the Queen’s Vase and then bolted up in a Bahrain Trophy, the three-year-old gets a hefty weight-for-age allowance and has stamina in abundance. Sweet William was second in this race last year and looks sure to bounce back from his Gold Cup flop, while Trueshan and Dubai Future would prefer softer ground or different scenarios altogether. Military Academy and Sunway have stamina to prove up in trip.
Verdict: FRENCH MASTER is a strong-travelling, progressive stayer who can take the jump into Group 1 company in his stride. Illinois is the benchmark and obvious danger, while Scandinavia rates a big threat receiving weight from his elders.
3:45 Goodwood
Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap
BRAZEN BOLT - 14/1
Brazen Bolt looks primed to strike following a luckless run at Ascot last time and can land this valuable 5f handicap with a clearer passage. He was travelling as well as anything from midfield in that hot contest, only to find his path repeatedly blocked inside the final furlong. He hit the line with running left, finishing on the bridle behind horses who got first run. That effort followed a solid fourth at Newcastle the time before and suggested Michael Dods’s sprinter is right back in top form. A fast-run 5f on quick ground plays to his strengths and his high draw in stall 11 looks favourable given where the early pace is likely to develop. He’s won off higher marks in the past and is handicapped to go close if things fall his way.
Shagraan brings strong form to the table after placing in a Group 3 and commands respect, while Redorange could go well from a more favourable draw after two solid efforts from the wrong side of the track. Adrestia has plenty of speed and might prove dangerous if allowed to dictate. The likes of Dream Composer, Jakajaro and Canon’s House also hold place claims, but Brazen Bolt has been shaping like a winner-in-waiting and this looks the perfect setup for him to pounce late under Callum Rodriguez.
Verdict: BRAZEN BOLT has been knocking on the door and can take advantage of a strong pace to swoop late. Shagraan is ultra-consistent and looks the main danger, while Redorange and Adrestia are others to note.
4:20 Goodwood
British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (IRE Incentive Race) (Colts & Geldings)
YORKSHIRE PUDS - 11/1
Yorkshire Puds shaped with significant promise on debut at Pontefract last month, finishing a close third in a competitive 6f novice. That performance marked him out as a colt with ability, especially given it came in a race where experience often counts for plenty. Michael Appleby doesn't typically rush his juveniles and this £105,000 yearling looks another smart prospect for the connections that campaigned Big Evs and Big Mojo. Both those horses improved sharply after their first outings and Yorkshire Puds may well follow suit.
Naval Light sets the standard having performed with credit in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. The extra furlong should suit and he holds obvious claims on form, but he’s priced accordingly. High Approval has solid form and the benefit of two starts, while Stellar Sunrise is another open to improvement on his third career outing for a yard that won this race 12 months ago.
Verdict: Naval Light is the one to beat on his Royal Ascot run, but YORKSHIRE PUDS shaped well on debut, is bred to improve and makes plenty of each-way appeal at double-figure odds. High Approval and Stellar Sunrise look the other main dangers.
4:55 Goodwood
ZAPPHIRE - 10/1
Zapphire has looked an improved mare since cheekpieces were applied, winning readily at Carlisle in May before being narrowly denied at Beverley last time out. She didn’t get the clearest of runs that day but still finished strongly and might well have won with a smoother passage. The form of that race is working out nicely and she returns here off the same mark. The five-year-old is clearly thriving for her current stable and this race should be run to suit with several pace angles on show. While three-year-olds have a good record in this contest, Zapphire is a battle-hardened older filly who arrives in peak form and her draw in stall 12 shouldn’t be too much of an issue if she can slot in early.
The progressive Mahra’s Love bids for a hat-trick after front-running wins at Kempton and York. She’s up 6lbs but remains on the up and has to be respected. Zgharta wasn’t disgraced when drawn away from the main action in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot and could fare better with a more favourable track position. Protest drops back in trip after three Listed runs and is another interesting contender on handicap debut.
Verdict: Plenty of unexposed three-year-olds are lurking, but ZAPPHIRE is in excellent form, remains well treated and appeals each-way in a wide-open heat. Mahra’s Love is respected under Tom Marquand, while Zgharta and Protest also look likely to be involved.
5:30 Goodwood
World Pool Bet With The Tote EBF Fillies' Handicap
WOODHAY WONDER - 6/1
Woodhay Wonder had an excellent 2024 campaign and now returns to the scene of one of her most consistent spells last season, back over her ideal 6f trip on decent ground. She landed a pair of competitive handicaps last summer and ran well in defeat against quality opposition, including when not beaten far in hot 5f contests. This year has yet to click, but there are reasons to believe she could bounce back. The cheekpieces didn't seem to have the desired effect at Ascot last time, but that was over an inadequate 5f and in a much deeper field. Back up to 6f, drawn well in stall 3 and reunited with Tom Marquand, she’s handicapped to go close if rediscovering last year's form.
Dubai Treasure heads the market after a solid fourth at York and she remains unexposed at sprint trips. Sea Emily Run is consistent but refused to enter the stalls last time, which casts some doubt, while Harvanna is on the upgrade and looks a danger if seeing out the final furlong strongly.
Verdict: WOODHAY WONDER has been below her best so far in 2025, but conditions look ideal for a revival and she’s dangerously well treated on last season’s form. Dubai Treasure and Harvanna look the main threats.
