10 best bets to make on the Qatar Goodwood Festival this week

Picture the quintessential English summer day in the countryside and you are not far off what the Qatar Goodwood Festival looks like. 

With panama hats and linen suits the order of the day the atmosphere at the Sussex venue is an altogether more relaxed one than the hustle and bustle of Royal Ascot. 

However, the action on the track remains equally competitive with three Group Ones taking centre stage across the five-day meeting highlighted by the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes. 

With the meeting stretching across five days it is important to remember it is a marathon not a sprint to the finish line, meaning there are ample opportunities to dig out a winner or two. 

Qatar Goodwood Festival Day One

The meeting gets off to a flyer with the some of the smartest stayers around locking horns in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup. 

This year’s Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Illinois from the Aidan O’Brien yard will attempt to confirm his superiority over the third and fourth from that race Dubai Future and Sweet William. 

However, the race will also see Copper Horse Stakes winner French Master stepping out of handicap company for the first time while Scandinavia, who is a stablemate of Illinois, looked a potentially smart stayer on his last start in the Group Three Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. 

Several old faces clash in the Group Two HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes, which sees last year’s winner Audience back to defend his title from among others Kinross, who is a dual winner of the race. 

And in the Coral Vintage Stakes, which is the other Group Two on the card, the Andrew Balding-trained Humidity will attempt to back up his win in the Chesham Stakes at the Royal meeting. 

FIRST.com’s top tip

Pick: Protest to win the 16:55 Ridgeview Fillies’ Handicap - 11/2 (Ladbrokes)

Protest is yet to win in three starts since making a winning debut at Chelmsford City, however this is her first foray into handicap company and she could be up to defying a mark of 94. 

Since her debut the daughter of Ulysses has raced exclusively at Listed company, including when finishing a close up sixth over course and distance in the Conqueror Stakes behind subsequent Duke Of Cambridge Stakes winner Crimson Advocate. 

The form of her latest fourth in the Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes reads well with the winner, Qilin Queen since winning a Group Two in France. 

Although the draw in 10 is not ideal, a repeat of her most recent efforts back in calmer waters should see her go close. 

Extra tips

Humidity won the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot in good fashion and he is fancied to back that up on his first venture at Group Two level in the Coral Vintage Stakes. 

Another step forward is likely required, but given the manner in how he won on his last start he still looks to have plenty to offer. 

The form of his Chesham victory has already thrown up one subsequent winner, while his debut victory at Newbury was boosted by Words Of Truth at Ascot on Saturday. 

Provided he handles Goodwood then he can pass this test with flying colours. 

Pick: Humidity to win the Coral Vintage Stakes (4/1 with Betfred)

Qatar Goodwood Festival Day Two

All eyes will be drawn to the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes which will see this year’s Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner and St James’s Palace Stakes hero Field Of Gold against last year’s winner of both those races, Rosallion, in a titanic clash of the generations. 

Add to the list this year’s Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands and French 2000 Guineas hero Henri Mattise, it promises to be much more than just a duel on the Downs. 

And supporting what is likely to be the race of the week is the HKJC World Pool Molecomb Stakes, one of two Group Three races on the card, which will see some of the fastest two-year-olds around tear up the track. 

FIRST.com’s top tip for day two

Pick: Rosallion to win the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (7/2 with Coral)

Taking on Field Of Gold does not come lightly given what he has already achieved this season, however Rosallion can gain compensation for missing the race last year with a setback and strike for the older generation. 

Having been in need of his comeback in the BoyleSports Lockinge a Newbury the son of Blue Point was only edged out by a nose in the Queen Anne Stakes by the re-opposing Docklands. 

The triple Group One winner is reported to have put in two exceptional pieces of work last week and although he has to concede eight pounds to Field Of Gold in the weight-for-age allowance the Richard Hannon-trained colt is more than up to doing that. 

Extra tips

Argentine Tango rarely knows how to run a bad race having failed to finish outside the first three in her six career starts to date. 

She ran another good race in defeat behind the talented Venetian Sun at Newmarket in the Group Two Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes last time out. 

The drop back to five furlongs here shouldn’t be a problem as she has previously won over the trip at Pontefract and Beverley. 

She has been handed a draw on the wing in stall one, but with there only being eight runners set to go to post that shouldn’t pose any issues, while conditions will be fine. 

Pick: Argentine Tango each-way in the 2.30 HKJC World Pool Molecomb Stakes 12/1 (Ladbrokes)

Qatar Goodwood Festival Day Three

Here come the girls. Taking centre stage on day three is the Qatar Nassau Stakes which will pit some of the best older fillies in training against the current Classic generation. 

And this year’s race looks to be an intriguing duel between last year’s second See The Fire and Betfred Oaks runner-up Whirl, who beat stablemate of the former Kalpana, last time out in the Group One Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes. 

Like at the Curragh the Aidan O’Brien trained three-year-old will get a handy weight pull with See The Fire, which could be enough once again to tip the advantage in her favour. 

Those looking for Classic clues ahead of the Betfred St Leger will need to pay close attention to the HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes which features Merchant, who ran out an impressive winner of the King George Stakes at the Royal meeting.

FIRST.com top tip for day three

Coppull to win the Markel Richmond Stakes (7/2 with Betfred)

Coppull can go two places better than his effort in defeat in the Group Two Coventry Stakes  and gain compensation at the same level here. 

After defying market expectations when popping up at 14/1 on his debut the Clive Cox-trained showed that effort was no fluke when finishing third at 66/1 at the Royal meeting. 

The Lambourn handler knows what it takes to win this race having saddled both Supremacy and Golden Horde to glory in the race in the past, with both going on to win at Group One level afterwards. 

This looks a slightly easier test than the one Coppull faced at Ascot and he can take advantage of that here. 

Extra tips

Ed Walker hasn’t got the greatest record when it comes training winners at this meeting having saddled just the one since taking out a licence in 2010. 

However, Fort George can change that by returning to winning ways in the Coral Kinscem Handicap. 

Having won on his comeback at Newmarket the Territories gelding was just edged out over a mile at the track on his last start. 

And having missed the Royal meeting to protect his mark here expect him to be finishing well on his first start over a mile and a quarter. 

Pick: Fort George each-way in the Coral Kincsem handicap, four places, at 14/1 with Betfred

Qatar Goodwood Festival Day Four

It is all about speed on the penultimate day of the meeting in the King George Qatar Stakes.

While it is Group Two the level entries wouldn’t look out of place in a Group One with many of those entered using this as a port of call on route back to the top table. 

Last year’s race produced a real thriller with the now retired Big Evs getting the better of Asfoora, who returns for more, by a short-head. 

Connections of the Henry Dwyer-trained speedster will be hopeful of another big run, but she has the presence of the likes of Commonwealth Cup heroine Time For Sandals to take on among others in her bid to go one better. 

As for the support card the Group Three Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes looks the best of the rest with Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year taking a drop in class in a bid to return to winning ways. 

FIRST.com’s top tip for day four

Pick: Opera Ballo to win the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (odds to follow)

There was a thought that Opera Ballo could be a Classic contender at one point this season after two routine wins at Kempton Park, however those went out of the window when proving too keen to do himself justice in the Group Three bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket. 

Since the application of a hood the Charlie Appleby-trained colt has settled better with each run and has started to look the real deal. 

As a result he has managed to pick up two wins at Listed level in the Star Sports Heron Stakes at Sandown Park and the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket under a penalty.

Given the manner in which he won last time he looks more than worthy of another go at this level. Providing he can settle okay in the race then he should prove tough to beat. 

Extra tips

Arisaig has held her form well since scoring at the meeting last year and she can secure another course and distance success by pocketing the Coral Golden Mile. 

Although the Charlie Johnston-trained filly is now a full ten pounds higher than that success she hinted that her turn is near after finishing second last time out at Sandown Park. 

Connections have once again turned to Jamie Spencer for the ride, who was on board for her success at the course 12 months ago. 

With Charlie Johnston, like his dad Mark, always keen to target the meeting expect her to be primed for this. 

Pick: Arisag each-way in the Coral Golden Mile, four places, at 12/1 with Ladbrokes. 

Qatar Goodwood Festival Day Five

Those who have made it to the end of the week have arguably the trickiest day left with a real mixed bag on offer. 

The Group Two Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes is the highest level race on offer, however plenty of attention will be paid to the Coral Stewards’ Cup which boasts a rich heritage. 

And if one big field handicap is not enough then the Summer Handicap is another to get stuck into with clues for the Sky Bet Ebor on offer. 

FIRST.com’s top tip for day five

Hammer The Hammer saw his winning spree come to an end dropped back to five furlongs in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he remains a sprinter with plenty of potential. 

Given the way the Kevin Ryan-trained three-year-old son of Coulsty finished last time out, the step back up to six furlongs can only be seen as a plus. 

There is the potential for some rain to fall, but as long as the worst of it doesn't hit the Sussex track then conditions should be ideal. 

The draw can be key here and that won't be known until later in the week, but this doesn't look like a vintage renewal of the race and it could be that Hammer The Hammer has too much class for a lot of exposed rivals despite older horses winning the last five renewals. 

Pick: Hammer The Hammer to win the Coral Stewards' Cup (8/1 with Betfred)

Extra tips

Like last year French Duke heads into the meeting on the back of finishing down the field at the Royal meeting. 

However, his run in the Duke Of Edinburgh can be upgraded as he missed his prep run which if he had been able to take in would have seen him finish closer last time out. 

The step up here to one mile six furlongs is an unknown, but the way he finished over a mile and half when winning at this meeting suggests he should have no issues with it. 

Having now got a run under his belt and being proven at the track he can bounce back to form here. 

French Duke to win the Summer Handicap (odds to follow).