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1.50 - Unibet 3 Boosts A Day Goodwood Handicap (2m4½f)
Just Hubert won this marathon handicap 12 months ago for trainer William Muir with Tom Marquand on board, springing a 25/1 shock as he edged Rochester House in the dying strides. He hasn't hit any highs after a promising comeback at Haydock this term but his mark is consequently 1lb lower than last year and Ray Dawson takes a very useful 3lb off. He needs to be revitalised by the sight of Goodwood, however.
GREEN BOOK was well supported ahead of the Chester Vase (2m2½f) in May and made every yard to win in commanding fashion for trainer Venetia Williams. He wasn't quite as good at Haydock on his next start but then ran a cracker when fourth in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot last month over 2m5½f on soft ground. He is still unexposed at trips beyond two-miles and could have plenty to give here with Andrea Atzeni booked.
Elysian Flame won over an extended two-miles at Newbury in April and, while behind Green Book at Chester, has since run a cracker in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes in June in third behind Reshoun. He's a player, as can be The Grand Visir and Platform Nineteen - successful at Beverley (2m, soft) this month on his return from 22 months out.
2.25 - Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3, 1m)
This Group 3 appears to revolve around BAAEED, the William Haggas-trained Sea The Stars colt having looked out of the top drawer when winning a Listed race at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) earlier in the month. That made it 3-3 for him so far and the disdain with which he swept aside good horses like Maximal and One Ruler was hugely encouraging. Jim Crowley's mount has all the aces in his hand on that evidence.
Tactical hasn't gone on from his winning return in a Listed handicap at Newmarket in April but now tries a mile for the first time for in-form trainer Andrew Balding. El Drama also defeated Maximal at Chester in May - though not with the same authority that Baaeed did since - and has been seen in Group 1 company in two starts since. He ought to appreciate this class-drop.
Perotto likes it here (2-3 over 6f/7f) and the Britannia Stakes winner is well worth another go in Group-race company given his success at Royal Ascot in June attempting this distance for the one and only time in his career.
3.00 - Unibet Golden Mile Handicap (1m)
A field of 20 are set to compete for the top prize of £77k in the latest renewal of the Golden Mile and plenty will fancy their chances.
John & Thady Gosden's Magical Morning just held off Maydanny at Sandown in a similar event at the start of the month and both are key players. Mark Johnston's son of Dubawi was a very impressive winner at this meeting last year and, with a 6lb turnaround against that rival, could turn the tables and go very close from a good draw.
Similarly well drawn is Johan, victorious last time at Salisbury on soft ground over this trip for William Haggas and now with Ryan Moore in the plate for the first time. Just behind him that day was VARIYANN on first start for new trainer Martyn Meade.
The 5YO likes to be on the pace so Andrea Atzeni will have to be alert from a wide draw now, but if they can get a decent position, this former C&D winner could have plenty to offer with that run last month blowing off the winter cobwebs.
Path Of Thunder was a clear cut winner at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) earlier in the month and has claims again under a 3lb penalty with the first-time blinkers deployed there retained.
David O'Meara runs five so it's noted that Danny Tudhope sides with Shelir. The Dark Angel gelding has notched four runner-up finishes this season in six turf starts. He's got a nice low draw and should go well, though he has little wriggle room from a mark of 96.
3.35 - King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2, 5f)
In some of his previous wins in this contest, there's been a notion that BATTAASH has scared some of the opposition off but this will be the biggest field Charlie Hills' charge has faced at Goodwood.
Perhaps there's a feeling that the now 7YO Battaash has lost some of his lustre but it would be foolhardy to discern that from his King's Stand fourth last month on seasonal bow. It was documented that his prep for that comeback was interrupted and connections were fairly adamant he would improve for the outing. As is his wont, Battaash was on the front end in what was a breakneck pace - even by his own standards - at Royal Ascot and he just wilted late on. The drying ground suits him, though he has won this on soft too, and Jim Crowley's pride and joy still remains the one to beat in the King George Qatar Stakes as he aims for five in a row at Glorious Goodwood.
Glass Slippers lacks a run this season but has form on testing ground that would make her a major player at her best, while Liberty Beach also handles cut in the ground and - like Keep Busy - has little to find with Battaash on their Royal Ascot efforts.
Perhaps the big threat on paper is Dragon Symbol for Archie Watson and Oisin Murphy. He won his first four and has finished second three times since at Group 1 and 2 levels. He handles all ground and was, of course, denied Commonwealth Cup glory in the stewards' room in June having passed the post in front. Second since in the July Cup at Newmarket, he reverts to 5f again now and is key player under the champion jockey getting a 3YO allowance.
Art Power has again toyed with the idea of winning a major sprint prize this summer, running mighty races in the Diamond Jubilee at Ascot and the July Cup since. He's been behind Starman in two of three runs this term but there was little in it at Newmarket. Tim Easterby's colt is trending in the right direction again and handles soft ground at his ease. He is drawn to attack and could benefit if there is a chink in the favourite.
4.10 - L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Glorious Stakes (Group 3, 1m4f)
Euchen Glen is a hugely admirable performer and Jim Goldie's charge has won at Group 3/Listed level this season at Sandown. The veteran son of Authorized ran a creditable race in the Goodwood Cup last summer on his only visit to this venue. In his current mood, it's impossible to ignore him but he's not helped by conceding a penalty to this field.
Without A Fight has been placed in both runs this term at Newbury (good) and Ascot (soft) over this distance in Group 3/Listed company. The Teofilo gelding has a solid profile and remains low-mileage. He perhaps is the one that might be worth following for each-way purposes.
Passion And Glory is 2-2 on British soil in 2021 and demolished his rivals despite a big weight in an Ascot handicap (1m2f, good to soft) recently off a mark of 100. The Godolphin inmate warrants his step up in class now.
MOGUL however is the logical choice. He won the Gordon Stakes over C&D (good) last summer and enhanced his CV with Group 1 wins in France and the US afterwards. All three runs this term have been at the top level and, if willing to forgive his flop at Epsom in the Coronation Cup, he'd make excellent appeal here. Even allowing for that, the 4YO Galileo colt takes a marked drop in class and returns to a C&D that he's proven over. He's the likeliest winner.
4.45 - Unibet Deposit 10 Get 40 Bonus Nursery (6f)
Robjon tried to make all at Newbury three weeks ago and faded rather tamely in the end. That was a disappointing showing given his earlier promise in novices but it shouldn't come as a surprise if he leaves it behind him now starting out in nurseries. He is one of four for Richard Hannon. Stablemate Tropez Power was promoted to victory at Newbury recently having continued his trend of race-by-race progress to match a smart Godolphin sort in a real duel late on. He was carried towards the running rail and justifiably awarded the race. Silvestre De Sousa's mount is a player here.
Adeb won at Beverley last time and joins the likes of Catch Cunningham and Dandy Dinmont in potentially having more to offer now handicapping but EVER GIVEN is the selection in a typically competitive Goodwood nursery.
Tom Dascombe's Kodi Bear colt showed a good willingness to win at Chester (7f, soft) three weeks ago on his nursery introduction, barging his way to the lead and holding on strongly down the home straight. He's 5lb higher in a stronger race now but could have more progress in him and shouldn't be put out by this drop back in trip.
17.20 - TDN Australia Handicap (1m3½f)
Royal runner Wink Of An Eye comes here seeking a four-timer after wins at Haydock, Newmarket and Sandown this summer. He has twice scored on good-to-soft ground and a 7lb rise for his most recent win at the start of this month isn't prohibitive. Expect to see him going well again for William Haggas and Ryan Moore.
There are four other last-time-out winners in the field and, of them, Godolphin's Marching Army is probably best placed. He landed a Leicester novice (1m2f, good to firm) this month on his third start (has handled soft) and did so decisively. The third has won since and the booking of Ray Dawson claiming 3lb is a positive here.
The consistent State Of Bliss for Mark Johnston and Roger Charlton's Barn Owl are other solid contenders but so, too, is BILL PEYTO for David Simcock.
The form of his Kempton novice win in December worked out quite nicely and he was a clear second to an improving sort at Chester (7½f, good) in June on his seasonal comeback. October's Newmarket debut emphasised he will handle give in the ground and he now takes a marked jump up in distance heading into handicaps for the first time with Jamie Spencer on board (rode to victory at Kempton). They may have something to offer up.
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