Glorious Goodwood Preview

Glorious Goodwood is always a pleasure to watch and, following the first few days of brilliant action, here are my thoughts on how the final two may unfold:

Friday

1.50 Coral Goodwood Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

It has been hard to make up ground from the rear this week and that might hinder Kyle Of Lochalsh’s chances who finished well at Newbury last time out behind narrow winner, Temporize. It will be interesting to see how those two fare but the winner of this in 2022, MASTER MILLINER, reappears here off three pounds lower than that success. His run behind both Kyle Of Lochalsh and Temporize wasn’t too pleasing but he likes it here and so there’s good reason to believe he could swing those placings around.

2.25 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)

This is a big drop-in class for DANCING GEMINI who looks to get back to winning ways after a disappointing effort in the Coral Eclipse. Winless since 2023 is never a good sign but he was second in a Group 1 on his first start this year before running a huge race in the Derby and that form will see him go close on Friday. Al Musmak represents the Roger Varian stable who have had their horses run well here all week and after impressing at Newmarket last time out. He can run well again.

3.00 Coral Golden Mile (Heritage Handicap)

As is usually the case, this is wide open. However, Richard Hannon’s CLASSIC has been running like there is a big pot in him this year and I wonder whether it may be this. His form suggests he would love a drop in rain but even if not, he has run well on quicker ground as he showed at Sandown last year. Holloway Boy ran a blinder in the Royal Hunt Cup and followed that up with a narrow defeat to Cicero’s Gift at Sandown and remains on the same mark as both of those performances so must be respected. Of the others, Dutch Decoy can run well at a huge price for Charlie Johnston. He has dropped to a very attractive mark and will love the conditions.

3.35 King George Qatar Stakes – Group 2

Fast and furious is the order and that is what they will get with Big Evs and Live In The Dream in the field. Although Big Evs ran well at Royal Ascot, he was firmly put in his place by the Aussie raider, ASFOORA and she can go in again under Oisin Murphy. Jasour is an interesting runner for Clive Cox and ran well, not beaten far, in the July Cup a few weeks ago.

Saturday

1.50 Coral Glorious Stakes (Group 3)

No match for Isle Of Jura in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot but CONTINUOUS finds himself in much calmer waters today. His fifth in last year’s Arc is by far the best form on show in this and if the cobwebs have been blown off following his first run of the year, he will take some stopping. Hamish will be interesting if bouncing back following a disappointing run at Newmarket but if the weather conditions stay dry, it will hinder his chances. Nobody got close to Phantom Flight last time out bar Al Aasy and if the latter strips better for that run, that also puts him in the picture.

3.00 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2)

Free Wind would be a popular winner for the Gosden partnership, but she has been winless for a very long time and a chance goes on CAIUS CHORISTER who, in my opinion, could be very tough to beat. Back against her own sex in this for the first time since she blitzed a Group 3 in October, she should appreciate not coming up against the stars of the staying division, so she gets the nod. Melo Melo could be interesting if the ground went soft but with that looking unlikely, things may be a bit quick for her.