GLORIOUS GOODWOOD - DAY 3 (THURSDAY)

As we enter the halfway stage of this illustrious meeting, the Racing Daily team tackles all the action with each race shown on Thursday.

13:50 GOODWOOD

Ciarri Abu was almost an unlucky loser at Ascot a fortnight ago, only just holding on by a nose after hanging in the closing stages. The step up in trip looks likely to unlock further improvement and previous course-winning form is another positive.

Bourbon Blues failed to fire when dropping back to a mile last time and there remains a suspicion that his current handicap mark is too demanding in a race of this nature, despite some useful stakes form earlier in the season.

Savvy Disko falls firmly into the 'could be anything' category. A 9lb rise in the weights asks another question, but his profile suggests he remains open to significant improvement and it would be no surprise to see him involved at the finish.

The final runner of note is Decade Of Time, who finished ahead of the reopposing Evanesco at Newmarket last time out. Drawn wide, he's likely to be ridden positively in an attempt to secure an early lead.

CIARRI ABU (WIN)

(written by Toby Darby)

14:25 GOODWOOD

The Group Two Richmond Stakes is typically dominated by horses emerging from Royal Ascot or the Newmarket July Festival, and this year's renewal features a strong favourite in Flann Sunna, who has looked highly impressive in both a maiden and a conditions race.

The clock supports the visual impression and there appears to be enough collateral form to suggest he has beaten some useful juveniles.

Cut A Dash is likely to attract plenty of support for a stable whose two-year-olds continue to thrive. He should improve considerably for his Coventry Stakes effort, which came on only his third career start.

He appeals as a sensible saver in the win and place markets should the favourite fail to deliver, but Flann Sunna looks a high-class sprinter in the making.

FLANN SUNNA (WIN)

(written by Alan Morris)

15:00 GOODWOOD

A slightly underwhelming renewal of the Gordon Stakes sees Derby fourth Bay Of Brilliance attempting to bounce back following a disappointing effort in the German Derby. After such a demanding run at Epsom, it would be a notable training performance to have him back to his best so quickly, although he possesses the class and official rating normally required to win a race of this nature.

Enceladus takes a step up in grade after his Ascot success, but that form has worked out well with runner-up Al Azd subsequently winning impressively and proving himself capable beyond handicap company.

At bigger odds, Magnetude appeals as one capable of outrunning his price and looks worthy of consideration in the place markets.

With slight stamina concerns surrounding Geryon and Sahara King, the progressive Enceladus is taken to improve again.

ENCELADUS (WIN)

MAGNETUDE (TOP THREE FINISH)

(written by Alan Morris)

15:35 GOODWOOD

A high-quality renewal of the Group One Nassau Stakes sees unbeaten odds-on favourite Diamond Necklace take on the experienced pair Friendly Soul and See The Fire.

Aidan O'Brien's filly still has to prove herself on quicker ground while confirming the strength of this season's three-year-old fillies' form.

Friendly Soul should improve for both her first completed run of the campaign and this step up in trip. She remains open to further progress and could still have her best days ahead.

See The Fire also commands plenty of respect, having consistently held her own in top-class company against the colts.

The 9lb weight allowance enjoyed by Diamond Necklace is a significant advantage for a stable with an excellent recent record in this race, but Friendly Soul looks the value alternative at the prices.

FRIENDLY SOUL (WIN)

(written by Alan Morris)

16:10 GOODWOOD

As is so often the case with the sprint division, consistency is hard to find and that makes races like this particularly difficult to assess.

Schrodingers Cat arrives in good form but is now 6lb higher than for his latest victory and, in such a competitive sprint, that increase could leave him vulnerable.

Quantum Power relishes fast ground and arrives chasing another success. Although his winning sequence has inevitably resulted in a higher handicap mark, he's available at double-figure odds and looks a solid each-way proposition.

The one that makes the most appeal, however, is Miss Yechance. Karl Burke has enjoyed another excellent season with his sprinters and this mare could be ready to take a significant step forward after joining the yard from Meydan.

She had only recently switched stables before her Royal Ascot effort and should now be much more settled into her new surroundings. With over a month to acclimatise, a marked improvement would come as no surprise.

MISS YECHANCE (E/W)

(written by Luke Tucker)

16:45 GOODWOOD

Shadow King arrives under a 6lb penalty following last week's victory and is likely to head the betting once again.

The Ginger Kid looks attractively treated and could still be ahead of the handicapper, making him a major each-way player.

The same can be said of My A'Ali Baba, whose handicap debut is made all the more interesting by the booking of Colin Keane. It's an eye-catching jockey booking from a shrewd stable and one that demands respect.

THE GINGER KID (E/W)

MY A'ALI BABA (E/W)

(written by Liam Hall)

17:20 GOODWOOD

This maiden lacks established form, with several lightly raced fillies joined by a number of newcomers making their racecourse debuts.

Clarity shaped with considerable promise at Kempton, doing her best work late on, and the step up in trip should suit. At her current odds, she could represent excellent each-way value.

Siena Storm hails from a yard enjoying an excellent spell with its juveniles, having saddled two winning two-year-olds at Ascot last week. She is one to note closely on debut.

Many of these fillies are likely to improve significantly for the experience, making this a race where future winners could emerge regardless of today's result.

The obvious selection is So Lovely. Her pedigree has always suggested she would develop into a smart performer and she shaped with considerable promise when staying on strongly from the rear at Leopardstown.

Aidan O'Brien's runners often improve markedly from their debut and it's notable that connections have chosen to travel to Goodwood rather than pursue an easier maiden at home, suggesting confidence in her chances.

SO LOVELY (WIN)

(written by Luke Tucker)

17:55 GOODWOOD

The final race on day three of the meeting is an open-looking three-year-old handicap, with two handicap debutants making the shortlist thanks to their progressive profiles and eye-catching jockey bookings.

The first is the Oisin Murphy-ridden Electric Dreams, who showed plenty of determination to shed his maiden tag at the third attempt. While the strength of that form remains open to question, natural improvement could easily see him reverse previous placings with Go Rimbaud.

The second selection is Storming Point, representing the highly effective father-and-son partnership of Gary and Ryan Moore. Although still a maiden after four starts, he has never finished outside the first three and his consistency suggests a first victory is not far away.

Go Rimbaud, from the John and Thady Gosden stable, makes plenty of appeal and is likely to start among the market leaders.

Others worthy of consideration include Exclusive Code, who is capable of bouncing back from a disappointing latest effort, while Law Court could prove dangerous at more rewarding odds.

ELECTRIC DREAMS (E/W)

STORMING POINT (E/W)

(written by Rory Paddock)