GLORIOUS GOODWOOD - TUESDAY (DAY1)

13:20

Glorious Goodwood 2025 opens with a fiercely competitive 10-furlong handicap, and last year’s winner, Take Heart, will be hoping to repeat the feat.

Among the leading contenders is Castle Cove, a lightly raced four-year-old who looked one to follow after a smooth and authoritative success last time out. The runner-up that day, Grey Cuban, has since franked the form with a win of his own and reopposes here. However, Castle Cove is weighted to uphold that result and, with further improvement likely, it’s no surprise to see him heading the market.

Ancient Rome, a surprise 33/1 winner of this race two years ago, returns having spent much of his career competing at Group level. A notable slide in the weights this season suggests this could be a deliberate target for connections, and a bold run would not come as a shock.

However, my interest lies with a seasoned outsider: Sir Busker. A horse of proven class, he finished ahead of Ancient Rome on his most recent outing and has long been known for his fast-finishing style. At nine years old, he’s not getting any younger, but there was plenty to like about his latest effort. With an honest pace likely, conditions could play right into his hands, and he may yet have one big run left in him.

SIR BUSKER (E/W)

(Toby Darby)

13:55

Zavateri has won well over 6f twice now but should have other strings to his bow on breeding and connections are confident it will suit despite other 6f entries. He may have felt he’d done enough when hitting the front last time out.

Dorset looked impressive from the front at The Curragh and the second has won since, this followed a promising debut over 7f behind Amadeus Mozart and is a worthy favourite.

Humidity has also won from the front, showing a good attitude and tenacity but it didn’t look the hottest Chesham at Ascot last time.

Zavateri would be a shorter price from a top top yard on form shown so far and that should make each-way value as a result.

ZAVATERI (E/W)

(Alan Morris)

14:30

Likely favourite is the ultra consistent Kinross, he comes here with a solid chance on form but he was only third in this race 12 months ago on similair ground, his best form has always come with plenty of juice in the ground and only a chance of some showers on Tuesday makes him opposable at the price. Jonquil brings top three year old form after finishing second in the French 2000 Guineas. Noble Champion is an improving three year old and showed his true ability to win the Jersey at Royal Ascot and 7f looks his perfect trip. Audience has lost his form this season but the winner of this contest last season and a Group 1 winner last year, could bounce back in first time cheekpieces. Alyanaabi looked high class as a two year old when second to City Of Troy, had a decent three year old season but made a winning return as a four year old before disappointing twice since. This could be his perfect trip after looking outpaced over 6f last time and may have an each way chance. 

JONQUIL (WIN) 

ALYANAABI (E/W)

(Liam Hall)

15:05

Trueshan has been a grand servant over the years and boasts a phenomenal record in this. However, maybe age is against him. Sweet William will change tactics and look to go one better than last year. Illinois looks to be after taking over Kyprios’ crown and is due a Group One. This is more his distance as well. Scandinavia was impressive last time but this is better, he’s best watched. French Master was very impressive at Royal Ascot and there’s nothing stopping him improving further. Could the Gosden’s have another Stradivarius?

FRENCH MASTER (WIN)

(Kieran McHugh)

15:45

With 22 runners set to go to post this is the first of several big runner handicaps we’re set to witness at Goodwood this week.

A duo at decent odds that could go well are former course and distance winner Dream Composer who’s finished in the top three in four out of five previous course and distance efforts. Now back to his last winning mark he could be primed for a big run.

The second one to consider previously won at both listed and group race level. Twilight Jet hasn’t lived up to that form since but has been handled with care this term. If connections have had this race in mind he could have gone under the radar and might have been overlooked.

Adrestia and Redorange are likely to fight it out for favouritism and look to have big chances.

DREAM COMPOSER (E/W)

TWILIGHT JET (E/W)

(Rory Paddock)

16:20

A tricky competitive maiden that has attracted a quality field. Heading the market are the Wathnan Racing pair of runner Naval Light and High Approval. Naval Light was halfway down the field in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Charles Darwin and I would expect the Karl Burke trained Havana Grey colt to go close here for James Doyle. High Approval on the other hand has been placed at Yarmouth previously and the Mehmas colt will step up here under Christophe Soumillon. Hamad Al Jehani will look for a bold run. Andrew Balding fields Stellar Sunrise with Oisin Murphy piloting. Placed in both starts this season the Space Blues colt should be on the premises this time again. I expect Stellar Sunrise to perform beyond his odds here but mindful of the Naval Light jockey booking and drop in class from last time out. 

NAVAL LIGHT (WIN)

STELLAR SUNRISE (E/W)

(John Arnold)

16:55

A competitive handicap for the fillies’ which should see Ralph Beckett’s Dash Of Azure firmly in the mix after an eye-catching fifth in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. However, at the current prices, Tundra Rose looks like an appealing option. Trained by David O’Meara, she showed useful form as a two-year-old before finishing sixth of seven behind some potentially smart types in Listed company at Sandown on her return. That outing should have put her spot on for this and she looks interesting moving into handicap company off a mark of 92 with first-time cheekpieces applied. The progressive Mahra’s Love is also feared.

TUNDRA ROSE (WIN)

(Sam King)

17:30

Dubai Treasure went close in a hot handicap at York last time out and a repeat of that effort should see him make the frame once again. Hard to ignore readily but there’s an alternative runner that could go well at a better price.

Arabian Leopard has been pretty consistent all season and will appreciate sticking to this shorter trip. Her weight for age and sex allowance should also play a part and that could see her lay down a major threat to her older opposition.

ARABIAN LEOPARD (E/W)

(Rory Paddock)