The Qatar Goodwood Festival begins on Tuesday with a stellar card headlined by the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup. Daily Star tipster Jason Heavey has studied the form and delivers his verdict on all eight races.
1.50 Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap
Al Aali is fancied to give William Buick a perfect start to the week. The four-year-old arrives on the back of a smooth victory at Newmarket 11 days ago, his first win since transferring to George Scott's yard. He was rated in the 100s when trained in France and Meydan but has slipped down the weights and runs off 93, still well treated from stall six. His 10-1 odds appeal after being nibbled in the betting.
Scott's other runner Wave Rider has been popular, while Noble Horizon heads the betting after a runaway win at Leicester. Silvestre de Sousa is keen to get to the front on Yabher, who bolted up at the track in May but is drawn wide. Twisting Physics sneaks in at the bottom of the weights under talented 5lb claimer Ashley Lewis and is a tempting each-way play at around 18-1.
TIP: AL AALI
Each-way: Twisting Physics
2.25 Coral Vintage Stakes
Al Hudaiba can strike in a heavyweight clash between Godolphin and Coolmore. The son of Dark Angel is quirky and unseated Tom Marquand when clear at Yarmouth on his second start. Will Buick has since steered him to two victories, but after defeating Abraham Lincoln in the Superlative Stakes 17 days ago, the jockey reported he almost came off the horse, which shifts sharply left or right. Al Hudaiba has stacks of ability and can master Aidan O'Brien's Haffner despite conceding 3lb. Dr Rascal, unbeaten in two starts for Oliver Cole, rates the each-way play at 10-1. Undiscovered is unbeaten in two starts for Ralph Beckett, while Ruler's Control was a solid fourth at Royal Ascot.
TIP: AL HUDAIBA
Each-way: Dr Rascal
3.00 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes
Lake Forest should take care of rivals if on a going day. The five-year-old has stacks of talent, though four wins from 17 is a poor strike rate. This season he has looked stronger, with a facile victory at Haydock in a Listed race before flying home to be fifth to stablemate Almeraq in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Seven furlongs looks his optimum. In last year's race, Lake Forest got caught too far back and never got to the winner Witness Stand, who would prefer slower ground but is a nice each-way price at 8-1. Qirat is a big threat, especially if he repeats his 150-1 Sussex Stakes win, and comes into the race in good nick after a Group Three win at York. Marvelman, from the in-form Andrew Balding yard, keeps improving.
TIP: LAKE FOREST
Each-way: Witness Stand
3.35 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup
Amiloc is a sporting punt to upset the big guns. Scandinavia and Trawlerman – first and second in the Ascot Gold Cup – dominate the market, but Amiloc has an excellent record at Goodwood with two wins from two. He was an excellent sixth at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke Stakes, staying on strongly. His stamina is unproven, but indications are he should relish the trip. Trawlerman is likely to make it a stiff test, which could play into the hands of Amiloc and Scandinavia. Aidan O'Brien's stayer won this race last year before going on to St Leger glory, and this season he has continued where he left off. His epic victory at Ascot was a hard race, and Will Buick on Trawlerman, having his first race of the year, may fancy revenge. Illinois, runner-up in 2025, is a big price at 28-1 for each-way bets, while Rahiebb should be more competitive than at Ascot. Lazy Griff is interesting at 16-1 and would prefer slower ground, but plenty of water has been put on the track.
TIP: AMILOC
Each-way: Lazy Griff
4.10 Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap
Dyonisos gets the vote in the day's toughest puzzle. Ian Williams' speedy four-year-old showed a liking for the track when second here in the spring and is in good heart after a decisive victory at Doncaster earlier this month. Cieren Fallon rides from stall 15, allowing him to gauge which side to follow. He looks overpriced at 20-1. Lexington Blitz is less exposed and has produced three solid efforts this term, including a course victory, but the handicapper may have collared him and his low draw may not be an advantage. Run Boy Run is good on his day, and Toby Moore's 7lb claim brings him into the reckoning. Germanic has not run since beating Quinault in January but is from a yard finding its form. Several seasoned pros including Vintage Clarets, Regal Envoy, and Spring Is Sprung cannot be ruled out. Adrestia, second in the race 12 months ago, holds more appeal with 4lb less to carry and Oisin Murphy in the plate.
TIP: DYONISOS
Each-way: Adrestia
4.45 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes
Dorigo is a value alternative to the hot favourite Launch Sequence in one of the hottest maidens of the season. Kevin Ryan's son of Space Blues has an excellent seventh at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle Stakes, where he was drawn on the wrong side with only Sale Shark finishing in front of him and the jolly Sergei Diaghilev behind. Dorigo is 10-1 and hard to envisage not being involved. Launch Sequence has been well punted after a promising third at Doncaster, with James Doyle riding instead of the other Wathnan contender Final Objective, who was a strong-running seventh in the Coventry Stakes. Richard Hannon's Agrippa was just behind Launch Sequence at Doncaster and rates a good each-way bet. Savage Mariner, who fluffed his lines in the Norfolk Stakes, and Severn Councils have attracted support. Severn Councils made his debut in a Listed race at Newbury, and Richard Hughes has snapped up Ryan Moore.
TIP: DORIGO
Each-way: Agrippa
5.20 Bolney English Wine Fillies' Handicap
Crazee Icon and her trainer Andrew Balding are both in red-hot form, and she gets the nod in another competitive handicap. The daughter of Sixties Icon has won her last two races at Chester, and there is scope in her handicap mark. A further 5lb rise may not prevent the hat-trick. She is among a group of strong three-year-olds that could dominate, including Annastarzy, who is bidding for a fourth straight victory with Joe Leavy having a great rapport. Ralph Beckett's Wid makes her handicap debut after a good win at Carlisle, while Proposal also commands respect. Charlie Johnston's runners should be watched closely, and Si Grass has plenty in her locker. Of the older runners, Rumba Numba and Nanino Niyati both have a solid look, while Song N Dance should step forward from her seasonal return.
TIP: CRAZEE ICON
Each-way: Wid
5.55 World Pool Bet with the Tote EBF Fillies Handicap
Zen Diva (nap) can keep her cool for the in-form Ralph Beckett. The filly is hard to assess as she has won both her races this season by seven lengths and five and a half lengths. The form might be dubious, but there is likely more to come, and off a mark of 81 she may be very well treated. Silvestre de Sousa takes over in the saddle and from a high draw will probably go forward. One of her wins came at Ripon, so the undulating track at Goodwood should hold no fears. This is a deep contest with plenty of improving three-year-olds and solid older horses. Bintaryana and Secret History are leading players, while Rogue Attraction is from the in-form Ed Bethell yard and travelled sweetly before winning at Carlisle. Sing The Blues looked ahead of the handicapper when scoring at Newmarket. Machadadorp (Oisin Murphy) is another big fancy.
TIP: ZEN DIVA
Each-way: Sing The Blues
