9 minutes Check out my tips across Friday's seven-race card at Goodwood.
1:20 Goodwood
Coral Goodwood Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
MORDOR - 11/2
This marathon opener over 2m4½f is a real test of stamina and Mordor looks a fascinating contender stepping up in trip for Gordon Elliott. A dual-purpose performer who’s thrived since reverting to the Flat, he arrives here with two wins from his last four starts and shaped better than the bare result in a strong Premier Handicap at the Curragh last time, staying on steadily without landing a blow. That performance suggested he’s crying out for further and this stamina-sapping contest could be ideal. He’ll handle any ease in the ground and gets a jockey who knows how to switch off and deliver late which is always a valuable asset in this race.
Course regular Kyle Of Lochalsh should run his usual solid race, while Zinc White will be dangerous if the ground stays soft. Aggagio and Sheradann are others with solid Goodwood form, but Mordor brings something different to the table and is open to more improvement.
Verdict: MORDOR is unexposed at this sort of trip and shaped like a stayer to keep on side at the Curragh. He can outstay more familiar types like Kyle Of Lochalsh and Zinc White in an open renewal.
1:55 Goodwood
Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)
DIEGO VENTURA - 4/1
The absence of Opera Ballo and Spectacular View has opened this race up and Diego Ventura could be the one to capitalise. He’s been steadily progressive in Listed company this season, winning with authority at Longchamp in May and holding his form well in deeper contests at Epsom and Chantilly. Importantly, that French success came on good to soft ground and he’s proven effective in slower conditions. He was only a length behind Cosmic Year in the Bet365 Mile at Newmarket earlier in the campaign and now reopposes under more favourable ground conditions with the headgear removed. If the ground rides slower than officially described, that could significantly blunt the favourite’s finishing kick, as Cosmic Year folded tamely on soft in France last time.
King Of Cities and Seagulls Eleven continue to knock on the door, but both were beaten fair and square by Opera Ballo last time and lack the same level of untapped potential. With a fair draw and James Doyle booked, Diego Ventura looks primed to run a big race.
Verdict: DIEGO VENTURA brings solid Listed form to the table, handles soft ground and looks overpriced with key rivals vulnerable. Cosmic Year is the clear danger if bouncing back, while Seagulls Eleven appeals after a solid second last time.
2:30 Goodwood
Coral Golden Mile (Heritage Handicap)
TRIBAL CHIEF - 6/1
Plenty with chances in this typically competitive edition of the Golden Mile, but Tribal Chief looks a solid each-way option with the potential to spring a surprise. He enjoyed a progressive three-year-old campaign last year, landing four wins including on soft and heavy ground and shaped well when runner-up to the thrown-in Bullet Point at Newmarket on his return in April. Things haven’t gone to plan since, but he was unsuited by a muddling pace when upped to 1m2f in France and had no luck in running at Newcastle last time. Back over a well-run mile, with the cut in the ground in his favour and Christophe Soumillon booked, he could bounce back for a yard that won this race last year.
Skukuza is the class angle and has looked a different horse since returning from a break, but he’s up 8lbs and unproven on slower ground. Fifth Column is a likeable three-year-old on the up, though his best form has come on firmer surfaces. Dutch Decoy, Arisaig and Rhoscolyn all boast course form and make up a lively supporting cast.
Verdict: TRIBAL CHIEF has ideal conditions and the form to go close if enjoying a clearer passage than last time. Skukuza rates the biggest danger, while Rhoscolyn and Arisaig are others worth considering for the frame.
3:05 Goodwood
King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)
KERDOS - 8/1
This is one of the most open Group 2 sprints of the summer and Kerdos looks ready to strike after shaping better than the bare form on more than one occasion this season. He ran a cracker in this race last year when finishing a strong fifth behind Highfield Princess and was arguably even better in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, beaten just two lengths after getting loose beforehand. That effort, against the very best over 5f, confirmed he belongs at this level. The return to Goodwood will suit and the addition of cheekpieces could sharpen him up just enough to find a couple of extra lengths. Christophe Soumillon is a notable booking for Clive Cox, who knows how to prepare a sprinter for these big days.
Asfoora heads the market but has questions to answer after a disappointing run at Ascot and now wears blinkers again. Big Mojo and Time For Sandals bring solid Group 1 form to the table but both may be stretched by a red-hot 5f test, while Frost At Dawn and She's Quality are also in the mix on recent form.
Verdict: KERDOS has been holding his own in Group 1s and can capitalise on a slight drop in class with the ground and track both in his favour. Time For Sandals and Frost At Dawn are respected, while She's Quality is a lively each-way player.
3:45 Goodwood
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes
LIBERTY LANE - 2/1
This looks a high-quality renewal of the Bentinck Conditions Stakes, but Liberty Lane stands out as a proven operator under the specific conditions he’ll face here. Karl Burke’s talented five-year-old has already scored over this course and distance this season, landing a Listed event on good ground in May with authority and he’s a proven soft-ground winner too having run away with last year’s Cambridgeshire on rain-softened going. He disappointed when thrown into the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, but that was a notably messy race and he had excuses having raced wide without cover. Back in calmer waters and with Clifford Lee back on board, he looks the most solid option in a race where several rivals have questions to answer at the trip or on the ground.
Godwinson is on the up and arrives chasing a hat-trick after smart efforts at Doncaster and Newcastle, though he’s yet to convince beyond a mile. Haunted Dream, last year’s winner, is another danger if the ground doesn't go against him. Fox Legacy is thriving but steps into deeper waters and needs to prove he handles conditions.
Verdict: LIBERTY LANE is the only one bringing top-level form over trip, track and ground and can bounce back from Ascot. Godwinson looks the most dangerous rival, while Haunted Dream should go well if conditions don’t deteriorate.
4:20 Goodwood
Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap
GOLDEN BROWN - 5/1
The penultimate race on the Friday card sees a typically competitive two-year-old nursery and Golden Brown makes plenty of appeal now entering handicaps off a fair-looking mark. Ed Walker’s colt has progressed steadily in three starts, culminating in a strong second over 5f at Newcastle where he was doing all his best work late. That run hinted that this return to 6f is exactly what he needs. A half-brother to Group 3-winning juvenile Tiger Belle, Golden Brown has the pedigree to develop into a smart sprinter. He’s been gelded since his last outing, which could help him travel more sweetly and his opening mark of 78 looks exploitable with further improvement to come.
Old Is Gold, Shaman Champion and Try Storm Cat all bring solid form into the race, while Penhallam and Son Of Sarabi have each-way claims, but Golden Brown remains unexposed and may prove a cut above nursery company.
Verdict: GOLDEN BROWN has shaped like a well-treated horse and can take this step up in stride. Shaman Champion and Old Is Gold rate the main dangers in a wide-open penultimate contest.
4:55 Goodwood
Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
PUSH THE LIMIT - 13/2
Ralph Beckett has a superb record with improving middle-distance three-year-olds and Push The Limit could be another well-placed improver from the yard on his handicap debut. A strong-finishing second at Newmarket in May was followed by another runner-up effort at Carlisle on softer ground and the form of both those novice contests is starting to work out nicely. This longer trip looks ideal on pedigree, he’s by New Bay and shaped as though 1m3f+ would bring further progress. The return to a galloping track like Goodwood, where a strong late challenge can be decisive, also plays to his strengths. With Hector Crouch taking over and the form of the stable holding up well, he looks attractively priced in a competitive finale.
Munsif sets the standard on bare form and remains with potential after being gelded, while Yabher and Mdawi are progressive types who can get involved. But Push The Limit looks the one with the scope to leave his mark well behind.
Verdict: PUSH THE LIMIT has been crying out for this sort of test and can strike at the first time of asking in handicap company. Munsif and Mdawi rate the biggest threats in a deep closer.
