Racing

Our Four Best Bets for the Goodwood Festival!

Qirat (Tuesday, 15.00, Lennox Stakes)

The more I look at the Lennox Stakes, the more I like the chances of QIRAT. I cannot believe he’s so big in the betting compared to Lake Forest, who he has every chance of beating on a line through Never So Brave.

Last season’s Sussex Stakes winner bounced back to his best to score at York last time out and has the in-form Colin Keane doing the steering. Even if the favourite takes the spoils, Ralph Beckett’s charge looks a standout choice to at least make the frame.

Secret Of Life (Wednesday, 15.00, Oak Tree Stakes)

The unbeaten SECRET OF LIFE is fancied to make her mark in this grade. She’s won all three starts very easily to date and was extremely impressive in a Listed race at Sandown last time out.

This will demand further improvement, but Ralph Beckett’s filly is heading in the right direction and could well prove a tough nut to crack, especially if allowed to dictate matters.

A La Prochaine (Thursday, 15.00, Perrier Gordon Stakes)

Last seen finishing fourth in the Epsom Oaks, A LA PROCHAINE appears to have strong claims in this competitive Group 3 event. She probably would have finished third if she had a clear passage, while her previous third in the Cheshire Oaks was solid.

Bay Of Brilliance is probably the biggest danger if able to stage a repeat of her previous second to Maltese Cross, but she was disappointing last time out and this unexposed filly is fancied to make her presence felt with her sights lowered.

Talk Of New York (Friday, 14.25, Thoroughbred Stakes)

TALK OF NEW YORK must have a major chance in Friday’s Thoroughbred Stakes. He’s won three of his five outings and was last seen running a huge race when third in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

That is the best piece of form on offer and this represents a significant drop down in class. Being open to a lot more improvement, Charlie Appleby’s charge should be able to take care of this field.