GLORIOUS GOODWOOD - DAY 5 (SATURDAY)

It's the curtain call on the five-day meeting as Glorious Goodwood draws to a close with seven races to get stuck into. The team dissects all the action here. 13:50 GOODWOOD

The opening race on the final day of the 2026 Qatar Goodwood Festival brings together another competitive field, with last year's renewal having gone the way of Sam Hawkins under Tom Marquand.

One major factor to consider is the ground. Twelve months ago the race was run on good to soft, whereas this year's conditions are expected to be considerably quicker, with good to firm ground likely.

The market is headed by Godolphin's Valedictory, trained by John and Thady Gosden, who looks certain to play a major role. He arrives here on the back of an impressive victory on Newmarket's July Course, where he was ridden patiently towards the rear before being switched wide approaching the three-furlong pole and producing a strong late run to pick off his rivals.

The other runner who makes plenty of appeal is Hopewell Rock, who is partnered by Ryan Moore for George Boughey. The yard is enjoying a memorable Goodwood Festival following the outstanding performance of Bow Echo earlier in the week, and Hopewell Rock arrives here after finishing sixth at Ascot and third at Newmarket, both over the slightly shorter trip of a mile and a half.

Aeronautic returns for another crack at this contest after finishing third last year and will be looking to go two places better. He has endured a frustrating campaign without managing to get his head in front, but the booking of Dylan Browne McMonagle catches the eye, with the rider having already enjoyed success at this year's meeting.

VALEDICTORY (WIN)

HOPEWELL ROCK (E/W)

(written by Kieran Hawes)

14:25 GOODWOOD

The Highclere Glorious Stakes brings together a useful collection of runners from Britain and abroad.

In My Teens shaped with plenty of promise when running well in a strong handicap at the Curragh five weeks ago and looks capable of getting involved once again.

William Haggas saddles two established contenders in Al Aasy and Opportunity. Al Aasy bids for a remarkable hat-trick of victories in this race, while Opportunity arrives on the back of an impressive success at Royal Ascot.

The latter may have more scope for progression and looks capable of taking another step forward, while In My Teens appeals as one who could outperform his odds.

OPPORTUNITY (WIN)

IN MY TEENS (E/W)

(written by John Arnold)

15:00 GOODWOOD

The Lillie Langtry Stakes looks a fascinating contest, with last year's winner Waardah returning to defend her crown.

Owen Burrows' mare made an encouraging seasonal return when finishing second at Carlisle, a performance that should have brought her on nicely with this race in mind.

Sir Mark Prescott saddles Consent, who progressed strongly through the ranks last season and capped that improvement with victory at Longchamp. She also finished placed in the Park Hill Stakes and brings a solid level of form into this contest.

Waardah's proven course form makes her the one to beat, but Consent looks more than capable of playing a major role.

WAARDAH (WIN)

CONSENT (E/W)

(written by John Arnold)

15:35 GOODWOOD

The Stewards' Cup remains one of the highlights of the Flat racing calendar and this year's renewal looks every bit as competitive as expected.

Following Thursday's draw, connections will be particularly interested in the higher-numbered stalls, which could prove significant in such a fiercely contested sprint.

Last year's winner Two Tribes returns with strong claims of defending his crown. Richard Spencer's runner has followed a similar route into the race as he did twelve months ago and his recent second at Ascot suggests he arrives here in excellent condition. David Egan once again takes the ride, and the pair have built up a highly effective partnership.

Tuco Salamanca is another major contender. He won five times last season and has added two victories from three starts this term, underlining his continued progression. Ollie Sangster's runner looks primed for a serious challenge and the booking of Dylan Browne McMonagle adds further interest.

James Owen's ex-Irish gelding Soldiers Tree has also performed with credit since switching stables, including a third at Royal Ascot and another solid effort at Newbury. A strongly run big-field handicap should suit his style and he looks capable of making the frame.

TWO TRIBES (WIN)

TUCO SALAMANCA (E/W)

SOLDIERS TREE (E/W)

(written by John Arnold)

16:10 GOODWOOD

The Phase Eight Handicap looks one of the most competitive races on Saturday's Goodwood card, with a field packed with progressive three-year-olds set to line up over seven furlongs.

Iron Will makes plenty of appeal after taking significant steps forward with each of his recent starts. His Racing Post Ratings have improved steadily from race to race, highlighting a colt firmly on an upward trajectory.

His latest victory suggested there could still be more to come despite another rise in the weights, and that progressive profile is exactly what is required in a race of this nature, where unexposed runners so often come to the fore.

There is no shortage of dangers. We're Goosers, Ghost Mode and Wild Desert all bring solid credentials, while Proud Nation is another worth noting. His form ties in closely with Iron Will's and any further improvement from him would add additional substance to the selection's recent efforts.

In a typically competitive Goodwood handicap, Iron Will's improving profile and progressive figures make him a strong contender. Further improvement remains possible and he looks capable of continuing his upward curve.

IRON WILL (E/W)

(written by Joe Ambery)

16:45 GOODWOOD

The penultimate race of the festival sees 14 lightly raced two-year-olds line up in what looks an intriguing betting contest.

Charted Course shaped with plenty of promise in the Windsor Castle Stakes last time and should be capable of progressing from that effort.

The obvious danger is Ballydoyle's Speakers Corner, who finished fourth on his only previous racecourse appearance at the Curragh. That looked very much a learning experience and significant improvement can be expected with that run under his belt.

Regency Royal kept on strongly when finishing second at Chester last time and should benefit from the extra furlong here. The longer trip could unlock further improvement and he looks well suited by the demands of this contest.

At a bigger price, Magi Melchoir is another worth considering. He has finished fourth on both career starts and the slight step up in trip could help bring him into contention.

REGENCY ROYAL (WIN)

(written by Tyler Brady)

17:20 GOODWOOD

The meeting concludes with a competitive 18-runner handicap, where two runners at attractive prices are worth taking a chance on.

The likely favourite is the consistent Crest Of Fire, trained by Jack Channon. He has recorded one victory and four placed efforts from his last five starts and looks set to run well again, although his current price appears short enough in such a large and competitive field.

Point Of Contact disappointed last time out, but his previous victory at York came over this trip and was particularly impressive. Returning to this distance off a mark just 3lb higher than for that success gives him every chance of playing a major role.

The two bigger-priced runners who make most appeal are Nostrum and Great Chieftain.

Nostrum hasn't quite reproduced his best form since finishing a solid second at Sandown, but the step up in trip could prove exactly what he needs and he is worth considering at the current odds.

Great Chieftain finished a creditable seventh in last year's Cambridgeshire and now returns to the mile-and-one-furlong trip for the first time since that effort. Crucially, he carries 8lb less than he did on that occasion.

Both his trainer and jockey arrive in good form and the five-year-old looks capable of producing another bold effort.

NOSTRUM (E/W)

GREAT CHIEFTAIN (E/W)

(written by Rory Paddock)