Racing

Goodwood Festival Place 6 Preview | 31st July

13.50 Coral Goodwood Handicap

ANNABEL’S GHOST appreciated the step up in trip when a staying-on fifth in the Ascot Stakes when last seen and has only been raised a pound for that eye-catching effort. He could have a say in the matter, while the thriving BELIEVEITANDUCAN, who easily won the Northumberland Vase last time out, is another to mention. VALIANCY came from well off the pace to finish a never-nearer sixth in the Copper Horse and is interesting over this longer distance.

Tips: ANNABEL’S GHOST, BELIEVEITANDUCAN & VALIANCY

14.25 HKJC World Pool Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)

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.

Tips: TALK OF NEW YORK

15.00 Coral Golden Mile (Heritage Handicap)

TRIBAL CHIEF has C&D winning form, and although he’s often finished his races too late, it’s only a matter of time before everything drops right for him. He’s caught the eye several times in big-field handicaps, so with Jamie Spencer in the saddle, a big effort could be on the cards.

BLUE BROTHER finished a good fourth in the Buckingham Palace and should go well off the same mark. BEAGLE BAY beat subsequent John Smith’s Cup winner Raammee at Sandown last time out and that is very smart form. Ralph Beckett’s hat-trick seeking, improving four-year-old must enter the mix. I like his chances.

Tips: TRIBAL CHIEF, BLUE BROTHER & BEAGLE BAY

15.35 King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)

Plenty to consider in this wide-open renewal but two stand off the page for me.

The first one being TIME FOR SANDALS, who was very unlucky third in this race twelve months ago under a penalty. She has no penalty this time and is a proven Group 1 winner when at her best, so under Kieran Shoemark, who does well when riding big-price runners, this filly seems way overpriced, even after a couple of disappointments of late.

SPICY MARG ran poorly at York when last seen but her penultimate second in the Commonwealth Cup is strong form and a reproduction of that effort at this level would surely see her go close. In addition, she bolted up at this meeting last year, so we know the track suits her run style.

Tips: TIME FOR SANDALS & SPICY MARG

16.10 Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes

Dual Royal Ascot winner and multiple Group 1-placed HAATEM must have an outstanding chance. He had no luck at all when attempting back-to-back wins in the Wolferton last time out and is worth another chance. He is a high-class horse on his day and will love the ground, so he’s one to seriously consider.

GALEN has placed in the last two renewals of the Wolferton, finishing fourth last time out following a second the year before and must have a chance on that evidence. He is a Group 3 winner having defeated Jan Brueghel, so we know he has plenty of class, and should be competitive. I really like these two and I’m confident one of them will win.

Tips: HAATEM & GALEN

16.45 Hawes & Curtis Nursery

DUBAI CHAMPION has improved with each start and was a really good winner at Hamilton last time out. With Ryan Moore booked to ride, I think he’s a major player. INNICHEN has won his last couple of outings and is another with so much more to offer, so he’s the other one to note. It would come as a surprise if one or both of these don’t go close.

Tips: DUBAI CHAMPION & INNICHEN