8 minutes We wrap up a thrilling Goodwood Festival with one more day of exclusive betting tips from resident tipster Stephen Welch.
1:20 Goodwood
Coral Glorious Stakes (Group 3)
ARABIAN CROWN - 7/2
Arabian Crown made an electric start to his career for Charlie Appleby, racking up four wins from his first five starts, including an authoritative success in last season’s Classic Trial at Sandown. That Group 3 win came on soft ground and he’s twice scored on similar going as a juvenile, so easing underfoot conditions could prove pivotal now. He’s not quite fired in three runs this term, but all of those came on faster surfaces and crucially, he was gelded prior to his latest outing in the Hardwicke. That race was a deep Group 2 and while he failed to land a blow, he shaped as though in need of a stamina test and a return to his preferred ground. William Buick keeps the faith and the presence of confirmed hold-up types like Al Aasy and Raja Raja may hand him the chance to dictate at a steady pace.
Key dangers include last year’s winner Al Aasy, who remains a classy operator but can be vulnerable when things get tactical and Candleford, who has to prove himself on softer ground.
Verdict: ARABIAN CROWN has hinted at a revival and is unexposed enough to bounce back now conditions are in his favour. He rates the value play against the more exposed Al Aasy.
1:55 Goodwood
Coral Summer Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
MASTER BUILDER - 10/1
Master Builder looked a progressive stayer last autumn and there’s every chance he can resume that upward trajectory now back over his optimum trip. He rattled off two wins at 1m6f late last season on varied ground, before returning with a promising second at Epsom in April when possibly caught out by the drop to 1m4f. Things didn’t quite go to plan when he returned to this track in May, but that came on much quicker ground and in a race where he never really got rolling. He’s been freshened up since and the return to softer conditions, allied with William Buick booked points to a big run from this tough, lightly-raced four-year-old. Trainer David Menuisier has had runners go well at this meeting in recent years and this one has the ideal profile to land a competitive staying handicap.
French Duke heads the market but is yet to prove he stays this far, while Sam Hawkens is improving fast but now meets a deeper field off a career-high mark.
Verdict: MASTER BUILDER looks primed to bounce back at a track that suits strong stayers. He can outstay these if getting a clear run and rates excellent each-way value.
2:30 Goodwood
Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares)
GOODIE TWO SHOES - 7/2
Goodie Two Shoes has quietly built a formidable profile in staying races and arrives here chasing a fourth consecutive victory at Listed or Group level. Joseph O’Brien’s mare has thrived since returning to the Flat, with wins at Gowran (1m6f), Down Royal (2m) and most recently in the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes at Fairyhouse, all achieved in the manner of a steadily progressing stayer. She travels strongly, finds plenty under pressure and has proven stamina at this trip and beyond. The only real question mark is softer ground, but she did win a maiden hurdle on yielding going and her action suggests she'll cope well enough. With William Buick booked and the stable in fine form, she looks well placed to take another step forward.
Defending champion Term Of Endearment commands respect but looked a doubtful stayer at 2m last time, while Sueno has finished behind the selection already this season and may again find one too strong.
Verdict: GOODIE TWO SHOES has developed into a genuine Group-class stayer and is taken to confirm her superiority over several of these rivals. Buick’s booking only strengthens the case.
3:05 Goodwood
Coral Stewards' Cup (Heritage Handicap)
CIRCE - 11/1
Circe is a fascinating contender in this year’s fiercely competitive Stewards' Cup and her profile suggests she may still be a step ahead of the handicapper. Richard Hannon’s filly has been reinvented as a sprinter in 2025, thriving since dropping to 6f with a hat-trick of wins from her last four starts. She travels powerfully through her races and possesses a lethal turn of foot, a trait that should prove invaluable in a contest stacked with early speed. Her latest win at Newbury was achieved in a smart time and she still looked to have something up her sleeve, suggesting the 6lbs rise may not be enough to anchor her. Ryan Moore now takes over in the saddle and her mid-to-high draw (stall 16) places her in the thick of the action, with pace across both flanks. With drying ground likely to suit and further improvement not ruled out, she makes plenty of appeal at double-figure odds.
Hammer The Hammer is a progressive three-year-old with Group entries and deserves respect, while course specialist Get It could give a bold sight if repeating last year’s front-running heroics.
Verdict: CIRCE is a strong-travelling, progressive filly and looks tailor-made for a race of this nature. With Ryan Moore booked and conditions in her favour, she can take the leap into big handicap company in her stride.
3:45 Goodwood
CONSOLIDATION - 8/1
Consolidation already boasts a course-and-distance win to his name and looks a strong contender to add another Goodwood success to his record. Ralph Beckett’s colt progressed rapidly as a two-year-old and returned in fine style when scoring over this 7f trip here in May, edging out a rival who was chasing a hat-trick. That form has since been boosted and although things didn’t fall right for him in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, he shaped better than the result suggests when poorly drawn and upped to a mile. Back over 7f and with the race likely to be run at a strong gallop, he should get the ideal set-up for his preferred stalking style. James Doyle is a good booking and Consolidation appeals as one who is still on the upgrade, especially now back at a track that suits him well.
Of the dangers, Mudbir has looked a class act at Sandown and is feared despite a small rise, while Yah Mo Be There has strong Group form but may be hostage to fortune from the rear.
Verdict: CONSOLIDATION can bounce back from a tough Britannia run and prove he's still well treated. His Goodwood win reads well and he should relish the return to this track and trip.
4:20 Goodwood
British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (IRE Incentive Race) (Colts & Geldings)
ISAAC NEWTON - 4/5
Isaac Newton shaped like a colt well above average when just denied on debut in a strong maiden at the Curragh and it’s no surprise to see Aidan O’Brien pitch him straight into another deep contest. The son of Camelot travelled sweetly in that 7f event before just being nabbed on the line by a stablemate who had the benefit of previous experience; form that looks all the stronger after the winner followed up convincingly. Typical of his yard’s juveniles, Isaac Newton is expected to come on bundles for that initial outing and with Ryan Moore remaining in the saddle, he looks primed to go one better. He’s beautifully bred and showed both professionalism and class first time up, suggesting he’ll cope just fine with the demands of Goodwood.
Exclusive Code and Corinth bring strong maiden form to the table, while Island Bear brings a key piece of form through Vintage Stakes fourth Soldier’s Empire. But all may be playing for places.
Verdict: ISAAC NEWTON impressed on debut and looks the class act in this field. He’s expected to improve again and can get off the mark in style.
4:55 Goodwood
Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap
TOIMY SON - 10/1
Toimy Son hasn’t fired in three starts this season, but he returns to the scene of his career-best performance and looks well treated if rediscovering anything like his peak form. David Menuisier’s six-year-old landed the Golden Mile here last summer off a mark of 96 and went on to finish an excellent third in the Cambridgeshire, both races showcasing his liking for a strong pace and undulating tracks. He’s now back down to a mark of 93 and shaped with more promise than the bare result at Sandown last time, where he didn’t get the clearest of runs. The return to Goodwood, especially over this slightly longer trip, could be exactly what he needs to spark a revival. Kieran Shoemark keeps the ride and with underfoot conditions likely to suit, there’s no better time to catch him.
Gladius is a worthy favourite and remains unexposed, while Alpha Crucis boasts excellent course form and is a major player if the ground eases.
Verdict: TOIMY SON is dangerously well handicapped and now returns to his ideal track. If back to form, he has the tools to outclass these. Each-way claims look strong at double-figure odds.
