Qirat Napped for Lennox Stakes Glory
Ralph Beckett's Qirat can return to his favourite venue with a win in the Lennox Stakes on Day One of Glorious Goodwood. The horse relished this tricky track when landing two valuable handicaps in 2024. He improved again when second to Sparks Fly on his first run in Listed company at Nottingham. Despite a poor run in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, he was sacrificed as a pacemaker for Field Of Gold in the Sussex Stakes but totally stole the show with a game all-the-way success over Rosallion in that Group 1. The five-year-old struggled for the rest of that campaign when unplaced in high-class contests. He still seemed on the downgrade when toiling over a mile at Doncaster and Epsom this season. A return to seven furlongs proved ideal as he slammed Never So Brave in a York Group 3. This high-class Group 2 looks ideal for the son of Showcasing, who can make every yard once again.
Diego El Queso in the Chesterfield Cup
Diego El Queso can be the cream of the crop for Ger Lyons in the Chesterfield Cup. The four-year-old developed into a useful handicapper on the Dundalk all-weather last year. He didn't mind returning to turf when chinned by Key Witness in a hot event at the Curragh. The gelding stepped up to beat Abbey Actress over 1m 2f at Leopardstown, then recorded a fresh personal best when second to Thread Of Gold in better company there. The Irish raider will have been aimed at this prize ever since, so he can overcome a wide draw.
Haffner for the Vintage Stakes
Aidan O'Brien's Haffner looks the smartest choice in the tricky Vintage Stakes. The youngster was an overlooked 18-1 chance on debut in a six-furlong Curragh maiden, but outran those odds with a cracking second to Abraham Lincoln. He stayed well and was well-backed to open his account over seven at Newmarket, justifying support with a hugely impressive defeat of Al Wathba. There is plenty more to come from this high-class type, who can add this Group 2 to his CV.
Rahiebb in the Goodwood Cup
Rahiebb can go the distance for Roger Varian in a glittering renewal of the Goodwood Cup. The colt looked a stayer on the rise when third to Carmers in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, then handled this tricky track when fourth to Merchant in the Gordon Stakes. Those efforts made him a serious contender for the St Leger back up in trip, and he almost landed the last Classic when agonisingly beaten by Scandinavia. He hit fresh heights by caning Al Nayyir on his return in the Yorkshire Cup, and was expected to thrive in the Ascot Gold Cup. Though he ran out of steam to finish eighth behind Scandinavia, the bold-galloper will be suited by this shorter trip and can finally get the better of his old rival.
Lexington Blitz in the Shaker Handicap
Lexington Blitz can blow his rivals away for Robert Cowell in the Shaker Handicap. The four-year-old developed into a reliable speedster for his ultra-shrewd trainer last term. He stayed on the rise with a close third to Pilgrim in the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh, then took well to this track when bolting up from King Of Light in a warm event. The bay raised his game yet again when a terrific third behind Arklow Lad in the Epsom Dash. The sprinter will be trained to the moment for this race, so he can regain the winning thread.
Launch Sequence in the EBF Maiden
Launch Sequence can get off the mark for Karl Burke in the EBF Maiden Stakes. The two-year-old was not unfancied before his first outing in a Doncaster novice contest and showed plenty of potential when finishing well for third behind Jumeirah Storm. That race is working out extremely well, so the colt can see off some exciting opponents.
Annastarzy in the Bolney Wine Handicap
Richard Hannon excels at Goodwood, so Annastarzy is a strong selection in the Bolney Wine Handicap. The filly got her act together when comfortably dispatching Perfect Part at Thirsk. She stayed on the rise with a battling nose defeat of Get Outta Here over track and trip, then completed her hat-trick by decisively defeating Commander Of Life at Newbury. The three-year-old still remains ahead of her mark, so she can shrug off a fair 6lb penalty.
Sing The Blues in the Final Race
Sing The Blues can make it a sad end to the opening day for the bookmakers. The filly showed a liking for this track when landing her novice for William Haggas, but signed off for that handler by being pulled up in a Doncaster nursery. The three-year-old changed hands during the winter and moved to Martin Dunne. That looked a smart bit of business when she overpowered Shallow at Newmarket. The sprinter is open to plenty more progress and can extend her yard's super run.
Norcross Brow at Beverley
Norcross Brow can stay ahead of the game for Charlie Clover at Beverley. The gelding improved for this handler when second to Celtic Chariot at Doncaster. The three-year-old is still on an attractive mark, so he can bag another decent event.
Garry's double: Qirat (nap) and Rahiebb.
