Racing

Goodwood Festival

By Steven Dowler

Three to follow: Goodwood Festival

Tuesday 29th July

Lennox Stakes: KINROSS

With an outstanding record in this race, KINROSS is well worth a second look and could well end up being called “Mr Lennox Stakes’ should he make history next week.

The eight-year-old has no doubt been targeted at this race again and warmed up for it with a pipe-opener in the Group 3 race at Haydock on his seasonal debut, where he finished a creditable second.

Ralph Beckett’s top-class sprinter plundered this prize in 2021 and 2023 and finished second in 2022 and third in 2024.

Instead of going to Royal Ascot with him this season, the veteran has endured a lighter campaign this time around and that could pay dividends being a fresher horse than most.

Any arrival of rain will do him no harm given his versatility and therefore he must have every chance of becoming the first horse to win this race three times.

Thursday 31st July

Nassau Stakes: WHIRL

Aidan O’Brien has won the race five times, while Ryan Moore has ridden the winner four times and WHIRL has strong claims of enhancing those fine statistics.

She returned as a good winner of the Musidora at York in May before running a blinder to finish a neck-second round Minnie Hauk in the Epsom Oaks.

Her stablemate franked the form by following up in the Irish version next time out, while Whirl beat Kalpana in the Pretty Polly Stakes in gritty style when last seen.

It appears that she is following the same path as 2016 winner Minding and her valuable weight-for-age allowance will give her a distinct advantage.

She’s tough, genuine and will not go down without a fight, so it will take a good effort from something else to see her lowered. I think she’s a worthy favourite.

Friday 1st August

King George Qatar Stakes: TIME FOR SANDALS

TIME FOR SANDALS caused a shock win when defying odds of 25/1 to capture the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and is very interesting dropping back in distance and grade.

This filly has yet to finish out of the frame on all six career starts, also placing in Group 2 and Group 3 events, including when second on soft ground in France behind subsequent Prix Jean Prat winner, Woodshauna.

This sharp five will be a lot different to the stiff six at Ascot, but she’s a strong traveller that likes to come late and this race might fall into her lap. There will be no hiding place in terms of pace, that’s for sure.

This race has been the plan since her latest career-best performance and I think she’s overpriced. I’m excited to see her back in action for Harry Eustace, who is having a season to remember.