Thursday 30th July 2026
The first of four bets for me on Thursday and day three of Goodwood comes up in the opener at 1.50, which is the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap, contested over a mile and two furlongs. In this competitive opener, I’ve come down on the chances of CIARRAI ABU for the team of Harry Eustace and George Wood. He was a winner here over a mile in maiden company back in May, and has since gone on to taste handicap success in Class 3 company at Ascot last time out, winning an eleven-runner affair by a small margin. He stayed on well on that occasion, giving the impression that the extra two furlongs could bring out further improvement, and I think he’s got every chance of being involved at the business end of things here.
Shortlist: If Decade Of Time can navigate a wide draw for Jack Channon & Tom Marquand, he’d be of significant interest here. He was a winner of back-to-back novice events at Windsor and Nottingham, before finishing second of six in a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket last time out. He’s only two pounds higher for this assignment, which has to make him a player. Sean Woods’ Savvy Disko also looks progressive, coming into this race following two succesive victories, the most recent of those being a three and a half length success in a Lingfield handicap. This is a tougher race, and he’s up nine pounds, but he could still be on the up.
Selection: Ciarrai Abu – (5/1) (Each-Way) (NB) – (1.50 Goodwood)
1,2,3: Ciarrai Abu (5/1), Decade Of Time (5/1), Savvy Disko (10/1) – (1.50 Goodwood)
My second selection of the afternoon on Thursday comes within the 3.00, and this is Group 3 action in the form of the Gordon Stakes over a mile and four furlongs. I’m siding with one of the Irish raiders here, as I like the improving ENCELADUS for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle. He’s got a bit to find on official ratings, however, as stated previously, he is firmly on the upgrade, and comes into the race having won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot. That’s a typically highly-competitive affair, and the horse he beat that day Al Azd bolted up at Ascot last Friday, and looks like a really progressive type himself. That’s strong form, and this three-year-old colt by Sea The Stars looks well worth a chance at this level.
Shortlist: Ger Lyons’ Geryon won the Group 3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown last time out in impressive style, getting up by just over three lengths, and if he handles this step up in distance, he has to be within the equation in the particular contest under Colin Keane. I think it could well be an Irish 1-2-3, as Shaihaan for Donnacha O’Brien makes some appeal also here; he found Group 1 company too hot to handle in the Irish Derby last time out, but ran well when third behind Causeway in a Group 3 on his penultimate start. He could resume his progress here with his sights lowered.
Selection: Enceladus – (5/2) (Win) – (3.00 Goodwood)
1,2,3: Enceladus (5/2), Geryon (4/1), Shaihaan (13/2) – (3.00 Goodwood)
I turn my attention to the 4.10 now, and this is a Class 3 handicap over five furlongs, with eighteen runners currently set to go to post. This is perhaps as difficult a race as you’re likely to see. However, I have stumbled upon one that I think could go well at a nice price, which is PILU, who’s currently trading at a best price of 11/1 for Roger Teal and Jason Watson. The yard form is a bit of a concern; however, it should turn eventually, and I think that there could be more to come from this three-year-old gelding. He won back-to-back novice events in his first two starts, and has returned to the track with three respectable efforts in competitive handicaps at Newmarket and Leicester. I also think that the drop to five furlongs could suit him here, and he’ll contest this off a pound lower mark than when he finished fifth of thirteen last time out.
Shortlist: The Grant Tuer-trained Schrodinger’s Cat has to be of interest here under Oliver Stammers. He’s been in great form as of late, winning at Redcar before finishing a shoulder second in a competitive York handicap, and most recently ran a very solid race when sixth in another competitive affair at Ascot. He’s highly likely to be bang on the premises once again. One And Gone is another who’s been in fine form as of late; Ian Williams’ three-year-old won over course and distance on his penultimate start, before following up with success at Sandown last time out. He’ll need to step up again here, but he could be up to the task under Ryan Kavanagh.
Selection: Pilu – (9/1) (Each-Way) – (4.10 Goodwood)
1,2,3: Pilu (9/1), Schrodinger’s Cat (15/2), One And Gone (14/1) – (4.10 Goodwood)
My best bet of the day comes in the 5.20, and this is a Class 2 fillies’ maiden over a distance of seven furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of SO LOVELY here, who represents Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She’s a Wootton Bassett filly out of the yard’s former 1000 Guineas/Oaks heroine, Love. Her breeding speaks for itself, and she started life out with a promising effort when finishing second at Leopardstown and three-quarters of a length behind a rival who’d already had a previous run. She’s likely to take a big step forward coming into her second start here, as is often the case with the yard’s runners, and she could post a big performance here.
Shortlist: Richard Hannon’s Elevating also looks like a promising filly, and she was also a very solid second on her racecourse debut, in her case in a valuable novice event at York. She could prove best of the rest here under Sean Levey. One at a bigger price that could run well is Avalon Queen for Roger Teal and Billy Loughnane; she’s run well in a couple of potentially warm Newbury maidens, finishing fourth and third, and she’s likely to improve further. That makes her a player here, and she could put her experience to good use.
Selection: So Lovely – (Evs) (Win) (NAP) – (5.20 Goodwood)
1,2,3: So Lovely (Evs), Elevating (5/1), Avalon Queen (12/1) – (5.20 Goodwood)
