Tag Archive for: Goodwood Festival

Roving Reports: It’s Glorious

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Goodwood is one of those weeks of the year that, as a racing fan, even one that prefers jump racing, you look forward to, writes David Massey. A wonderful setting, quality facilities, a chance to catch up with friends both at the track and outside of it.

Sure, it helps that I’m not working for one of the books this week (only the Ebor left to do now, and that’s my career as a bookie's workman done) and that I’m working alongside my new work partner Vicki for the week - more of what we’re up to later - but first, a leisurely drive down on Monday afternoon to stay in Haslemere at my friend Sarah’s house.

Sarah is kindly putting up with me for the week and her hospitality is second to none, and again that’s a lot nicer than staying in a hotel on your own. Sarah, a Goodwood member, intends going every day, and knows her horses inside out.

As if to show how hospitable she can be, there’s lasagne in the oven when I get there, which goes down very well with a Peroni. I think I’m going to be just fine here for the week.

Tuesday morning and my word, it’s hot. 24 degrees on the car dashboard as I drive in at 8.30am, and the air conditioning is on full. As is my music. “Bit lively for this time in a morning, isn’t it?” the car park attendant enquires as he tells me where I’m parking for the week. Clearly not a fan of the Prodigy then, or at least their older stuff.

I’m right at the back of the press room, which means I can see everything going on in front of me, and can keep an eye on certain photographers, inevitably up to something that will involve money coming out of my wallet for some gamble or other they have had wind of.

Two coffees in and I’m ready for a walk of the track but the temperature is up to a scorching 27 already and I decide that a quick 3f dash is all that’s required. I don’t want to be dripping in sweat before we’ve even started. Vicki arrives around 10.30 and we start planning our week.

A few of you, as you’ve seen me around, have asked what the new venture is. Well, in a nutshell, Vicki and I both had the idea of doing live-time paddock updates earlier in the year, and Goodwood is our trial week. Various companies and on-course bookmakers will be taking our feed across the five days which, alongside my mark-your-card on each day, we hope proves beneficial to them.

We’ve three separate feeds, for which we use Telegram and WhatsApp, and although I’m skipping ahead here, by the end of the week it seems to have been a success. Indeed, the bookmakers that have taken it are already asking about the Ebor and the Leger Festivals. If it’s good enough for them, and they’re a picky lot at the best of times, then we’re doing something right. I’ll get the plug in - tracksidemediaservices.com if you’re interested.

The mercury hits 30 as we start the afternoon’s work. And there’s no fresh air. It doesn’t take the bookmakers long to realise this is going to be a very quiet afternoon for them. “Everyone’s just staying in the shade, nobody’s coming out to bet”, moans one of them. “It’s like working in sodding Cyprus”, complains another. I know what they mean, and from someone that lives in Nottingham, not Nicosia, this is far, far too hot. Fair play to the Goodwood executives who have made the sensible decision that jackets may be taken off. Common sense has prevailed.

I’ve no strong fancies on the Tuesday and that’s just as well, as my selections are sunk without trace. I immediately have a crisis of confidence and stopping short of slapping me around the face and telling me to have a word with myself, Vicki does her reassuring thing that I’ve not gone at the game in a day, and it’ll all be fine tomorrow. However, Vicki asks a favour of me that, she says, is well above my paygrade - would I iron two items of clothing she’s brought in with her, as her place doesn’t have an iron? If it gets around the press room I’m running an ironing service I’ll not hear the last of it, but I agree to her request, as I’m a nice guy.

Tuesday evening sees us finishing up the lasagne, along with some salad. This will be one of only two occasions on the week when something even reasonably healthy passes my lips. I’ve said before how awfully you tend to eat when you’re away from home for any great length of time and as a man left to my own devices, the profits from nearby takeaways would tend to soar for a few days when that happens. However, Sarah is a tremendous cook, and indeed baker; every morning she bakes for her friends that will be attending Goodwood, starting the process at 7am, and I kid you not when I say her planning for putting it all in the oven is to the minute. She tells me she almost made The Great British Bake-Off back in the day, but the final heats before the TV stage were Cheltenham week, and so she told them she couldn’t make it. Sarah, my friends, has her priorities right.

Wednesday. It is no cooler, maybe a shade hotter, in fact. I’m wearing the lightest shirt I have and I’m still cooking by the time I’ve reached the entrance gates at 9am. My suggestion to racecourses on days like this is to let everyone walk through the cooling fans that the horses use after a race, charge them a quid a time for a minute in front of them. Here, Goodwood, take my money! I hang up the two items of clothing I’ve ironed (beautifully, I might add) for Vicki and crack on.

Poor Vicki comes in with bites all over her. No, she’s not had a good night, dear reader, not those sort of bites, but mosquito bites. Luckily for her I carry antihistamines at all times (hay fever) which help her cause, but she needs more medication than that. She battles on through the bites and heat and the pair of us have a much better day, getting Henry Longfellow beat, and my confidence returns. Business is still very poor in the ring, though, and I’ve basically turned into a waterboy for them. “Same problems as yesterday, nobody wants to move”, says Martyn Of Leicester. “Get me two cans of Coke, will you?”. I’ve turned into a gopher for the books.

Sarah and I, along with her two children, go out for food that night, which saves the ache of cooking at the end of a long day. Nothing I eat that night is healthy. Thank God I’m doing about 12,000 steps a day to make up for the rubbish I throw down me this week.

There’s talk of rain around on Thursday and the weather breaking, which it needs to, as it isn’t getting any cooler. My linen suit is on its last legs, and I fear after one more sweaty day it’ll find its own way to the dry cleaners. Speaking of which, word is out about my ironing exploits earlier in the week, and the jokes are starting. “How much for a full bag?”, asks photographer Alan Crowhurst, the leader of the clown pack. “Some of it might need a wash, mind”, he states, pulling a face that says I wouldn’t want to go anywhere near whatever it is he’s got lined up.

Mid-morning, one lad comes over with a cup of tea for his boss, sat next to me. It’s fair to say we’re packed in pretty tight next to one another and as he leans over to put the tea down, the cup rocks, almost in slow-motion, and I can see it heading for my laptop. After what seems like an eternity, the cup settles, as does my heart, but not for long. Five minutes later he’s back, with a phone on a selfie stick, which again hovers above my laptop; the phone falls out of the holder, hitting the table with a loud thump about three centimetres away from my keyboard. Sharp words are exchanged between the lad and his boss, and he’s told just to go downstairs, where she’ll join him shortly; I require the defib.

We’re gaining confidence as the week goes on, Vicki and me, and find both Approval and Mr Chaplin at decent prices on paddock looks, which is nice. We’re also meeting some lovely people as we go this week, with a few asking what it is we’re up to, including a delegate from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, who wishes us well with our project. Ebt’s Guard almost nets us a hat-trick on the day in the last but we have to settle for second. Vicki and I are out in Bognor after racing (seems rude not to go to the seaside when you’re so close) and let me tell you good people, the reviving effects of seawater on tired feet cannot be overstated. Ten minutes standing on the edge of the sea chatting racing and it feels like I’ve a new pair of plates. Fish ‘n’ chips are the order of the day, followed by half an hour throwing money away in the arcade. Except my luck is in, and I’ve an absolute pocketful of pound coins by the time we leave. (They’ll go in the pound jar when I get back. I save them all for the Eastern Festival at Yarmouth every year.) Vicki has won a foam glider from the 2p pushers. Everyone’s a winner.

Friday. No rain has been forthcoming, although clearly Epsom had their share last night. Maybe, just maybe, it’s down a degree or two but as Phil Collins might have said, there’s no jacket required.

On the drive in I spot a place in Midhurst that, if Bad Manners didn’t open with a song, I can only assume the owners missed a trick:

 

 

It’s all happening in the press room. One prominent member of the press corps has had a new jacket go missing: he’s not happy. My good friend and photographer Debbie arrives; she’s the latest to suffer The Attack Of The Night Mosquitos and, as well as her legs, one has bitten her just under the eye. She too gets help from my drugs stash, which sounds a lot harder than saying you’ve got paracetamol and antihistamines.

Business is improving for the bookies (“it’s ten times better than it has been”, says one, perhaps exaggerating ever-so-slightly) and as we continue to have a decent week, the pair of us finding the nursery winner at a good price, it definitely starts to cool as a breeze gets up, which is almost greeted with a cheer. Friday night is fish ‘n’ chip night, again; I did have an apple and an orange earlier, which makes me feel slightly better about it.

And finally to Saturday, and cooler weather, thank God. Sarah is back on her feet, and baking again, which is good to see. The smell of chicken pies in the oven at 7.15am is making me hungry. There’s a tea and bacon sandwich on the way, she tells me. God, she’s good. Why would I want to stay anywhere else? I think I might be making more trips to Fontwell this winter…

It’s actually drizzling as I drive in, and I’ve never been so happy to see it raining. The press room is virtually empty, compared to the rest of the week. Once the Group 1’s are done, it does tend to quieten down. Which is fine, it means the rest of us can spread out a bit! Also, more cake for us in the afternoon. I play Dog Roulette with a couple of others to pass the time in the morning (you’re best not asking, all you need to know is it cost me a tenner).

Vicki’s friend Jenn is arriving today, and when I say arriving, I mean from Luxembourg. Jenn has never been racing before, and is excited to see what it’s all about. Needless to say, as it’s her first visit, she’s allowed to back winners (it’s how we all get the bug) and finds Term Of Endearment at 15-2. “I’m a little tipsy!” she exclaims after her winner. Well, when you hang around with a certain Paul Binfield (Paddy’s PR) for the afternoon, that’s gonna happen, lady….

Before the Stewards Cup gets underway, the strangest thing of the week happens. I’m stood near a bar when, seemingly from nowhere, four police surround a bloke sat on a bench near me. It appears the man in question has been missing for a while, but now they’ve found him. He claims mistaken identity and rather helpfully has his passport on him, but the coppers aren’t buying it. The words “we can sort this at the station” are heard, and before you know it, he (and his mate) are taken away. I can only hope he didn’t back Get It, or he’ll never get his money now.

Somehow I find 40-1 winner Witness Stand (no aftertiming here, it got a good write up beforehand) and that, along with Align The Stars, puts the cap on a good week. Our trials appear to have worked well, with the books asking if we’re thinking of running this for the Ebor (we are). Even the drive home is kind, with no traffic on the M25 or M1. Back home for 9, tired but happy. York, here we come…

- DM



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All eyes on York for round three of Big Evs and Asfoora

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Henry Dwyer is relishing a York rubber match after his Royal Ascot heroine Asfoora went down valiantly to Big Evs in a pulsating renewal of the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

The Australian raider got the better of Mick Appleby’s Breeders’ Cup champion at Royal Ascot in the King Charles III Stakes, but with Big Evs getting first run on the lighting-fast Goodwood sprint surface the six-year-old was unable to reel in her rival, going down by a short head.

With both Big Evs and Asfoora on course for another showdown in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes later this month, the Ballarat-based trainer is looking forward to settling the rivalry on the Knavesmire.

Dwyer said: “I’m incredibly proud. She’s done a great job. It’s frustrating to come here and run so well and not actually win, but incredibly pleased that she’s run as well as she has, knowing that she’s come through the two runs well and we’ve got a horse to forward with.

“It went as well as we possibly could have hoped. We got a bump at the 300 (metre) pole which cost us, but it will be great to head for the Nunthorpe now.

“I just think the Nunthorpe is going to be great, back to weight-for-age for her. We’ve lost the battle, but we might win the war later on.

“It was always going to be problematic this race to start with, let alone getting an extra 2lb for winning at Ascot. I’m not making excuses, the other horse is a really good colt, and he’s got that ability to roll forward and control his own destiny, whereas we had to be back, we couldn’t go the early speed and that told late – we just got a bit of interference.”

Asfoora was a winner at Royal Ascot
Asfoora was a winner at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Despite the defeat, the performance was further vindication of Dwyer’s decision to campaign his star sprinter in Europe this summer and as well as a trip to York later this month, Asfoora’s stay at host Amy Murphy’s Newmarket base could be extended well into the autumn.

He added: “There’s so many options and that’s why we’re here. There were no options for us in Australia to be fair, but here we’ve got six or seven options, we’re not going to run in all of them, but we’ll pick and choose our path.

“Straight to York in three weeks, that’ll be absolutely perfect for her, and then we’ve got the option of the Flying Five at the Curragh and the Abbaye and America potentially. We could even go back to Australia for a race there. We’re just enjoying the experience.”

George Boughey’s ever-consistent Believing – who has become a regular at the business end of these top sprinting contests – was in the mix once again in third.

Believing winning at the Curragh last month
Believing winning at the Curragh last month (Niall Carson/PA)

Having won at the Curragh recently, Boughey has always had his eye on a return to Ireland for the Flying Five Stakes in mid-September.

However, he could now be persuaded to roll the dice with the Highclere Thoroughbreds-owned filly and is another with the Nunthorpe as a possibility.

Boughey said: “She’s just showing her tenacity every time, really. I was a bit worried after a couple of furlongs that she was out of her ground on the fastest five that you run at this grade, but she’s still learning to sprint at this distance, I think.

“She’s carried a penalty there today and probably didn’t have the easiest of runs, all options are open for her.

“Ryan Moore was pretty insistent that she went to the Nunthorpe, but the Flying Five has always been the plan. There’s enough time for her to do both. She will govern whether we do that, if she’s all right it would be no surprise – it’s only 12 days ago that she won the Group Two in Ireland.

“She takes her racing so well – I think she was the only horse at the start without a drop of sweat on her. She’s still upwardly mobile. Credit to Billy (Loughnane, jockey) not giving up – I think she’s still learning really to sprint at that level.”



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Dark Trooper searching for Wokingham compensation in Stewards’ Cup

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Royal Ascot runner-up Dark Trooper will seek some valuable compensation when he heads to Goodwood seeking to give owners Wathnan Racing a first victory in the Coral Stewards’ Cup.

Alban de Mieulle’s speedster – who is well known from his time in Britain with Ed Walker – narrowly failed to build on his win in Saint-Cloud’s Prix Wizz Kid when half a length adrift of William Haggas’ Unequal Love in the Wokingham Stakes.

Having been sent off the 4-1 favourite on that occasion, the four-year-old is set to be of warm order once again on the Sussex Downs, with his connections optimistic of a bold showing.

“He ran a tremendous race at Ascot and we were delighted with him,” said Richard Brown, European racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing.

“I think if he had been closer to where the pace was, the result might have been different in the Wokingham.

“This was the target immediately after and Alban seems very happy with him, so we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s a big race at a prestigious meeting and it’s exciting to have one with a chance in it.”

Dark Trooper – who has won seven times in 19 starts – will exit stall 23 as he bids to give his Qatari-based owners another victory this week on the Downs.

Brown added: “I think we’re happy with 23, we wanted to be high and it looks like we’re going to be in between some of the pace, so we’re happy.

“It’s a big race at a prestigious meeting and it’s exciting to have one with a chance in it.”

Archie Watson’s Albasheer was eighth in this when the race was run in heavy ground last year and looks for rapid-fire back-to-back victories having struck at Ascot last week.

He competes here under a 6lb penalty in the hands of Hollie Doyle, while Mick Appleby’s Billyjo is another making a quick return to the track having finished second over seven furlongs at Goodwood earlier in the week.

Albasheer winning at Ascot last Saturday
Albasheer winning at Ascot last Saturday (Steven Paston/PA)

Andrew Balding’s Purosangue has been plying his trade in Group company this term having ended his two-year-old season with a Listed win in the Rockingham at York.

He was last seen finishing second to Ed Walker’s in-form Makarova in the Coral Charge and now makes his first start in handicap company.

A touch of quality is also provided by Seven Questions – who is one of two for George Scott and Victorious Racing along with Rocket Rodney.

The three-year-old won the Palace House Stakes earlier in the season and is another to try his hand in handicaps after campaigning in some of the very best sprint events so far this term.

“He finds himself in slightly calmer waters, but on account of his win in the Palace House earlier in the year he has plenty of weight to carry for a three-year-old,” said Scott.

“I think six furlongs is really going to suit him and if it is a strong pace, there will be plenty of runners to aim at.

“It is a matter of will the real Seven Questions please stand up, if you know what I mean. He’s a little in and out and has a very strong character so if everything goes to plan and the prelims go well then he is perfectly capable of showing up well in a race like this.”

The consistent Apollo One dipped his toe into deeper waters at Sandown and is back amongst the handicap ranks, while Epsom Dash winner Dream Composer has a course and distance win to his name despite his best form coming down at five furlongs – he will have the assistance of Tom Marquand.

Dream Composer winning the Dash at Epsom
Dream Composer winning the Dash at Epsom (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)

“He’s had a good season so far and ran well last time out at Ascot in a competitive sprint there,” said trainer James Evans.

“He’s come out of that well and we’ve got a chance of a run in it and he’s probably earned it. He does run well at Goodwood and he’s a course and distance winner – there aren’t that many course and distance winners in it.

“We’re realistic about our chances and there is some lovely unexposed types at the top of the handicap there, but hopefully he can go and run well.”

Karl Burke’s Lethal Levi and Richard Fahey’s pair of Ramazan and Strike Red give Yorkshire a strong hand, with David O’Meara represented by the evergreen 2020 Stewards’ Cup winner Summerghand.



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Al Aasy to renew rivalry with Phantom Flight in Glorious Stakes

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Al Aasy has the chance to turn the tables on Newbury conqueror Phantom Flight when he bids to give William Haggas back-to-back victories in the Coral Glorious Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.

The Somerville Lodge handler saddled Hamish to land the spoils 12 months ago and having also claimed the Group Three prize in 2020 with Pablo Escobarr, now relies on his evergreen seven-year-old who proved he retained plenty of ability when reappearing 14 days ago.

Al Aasy has been an honourable servant for his connections over the years, with the seven-year-old a multiple winner and once a neck second in the Coronation Cup.

George Scott’s Phantom Flight got first run on the Shadwell-owned gelding in that slowly-run 10-furlong affair, holding on by a length, but Al Aasy’s connections are eying a different outcome over this mile-and-a-half trip.

“I think he was beaten fair and square on the day and he came from far back in a race that wasn’t particularly strongly run,” said Shadwell’s Angus Gold.

“It will be interesting to see him back and that was his first run after quite a layoff. I would like to think he will come on for it just in terms of getting back into the groove so to speak.

“I thought he looked like he retained his enthusiasm at Newbury and the moderate pace was never going to suit. Hopefully he will have come on for that and hopefully we can get him back on track – he’s been a good old servant for us and hopefully he will run a good race.”

Phantom Flight scoring at Newbury
Phantom Flight scoring at Newbury (David Davies/PA)

Phantom Flight is yet to win over 12 furlongs and Scott is looking for him to prove his suitability for that distance as he seeks to fill the void left by the sidelined Isle Of Jura and shine for the handler’s Newmarket stable.

Intended for a trip to Bahrain this winter, this race represents an opportunity for the five-year-old to satchel another valuable prize en route to the Persian Gulf.

“We’ve been very pleased with him since Newbury and this looks a really nice spot for him,” said Scott.

“There’s still a question mark over a mile and a half with him, but with only five in the race it could turn into more of a mile-and-a-quarter type race.

Trainer George Scott has been impressed by Phantom Flight
Trainer George Scott has been impressed by Phantom Flight (David Davies/PA)

“I’ve been delighted with him and it looks the right next step for him. He was bought for Bahrain and took a step in the right direction at Newbury and we just hope he can continue that ascent.

“Isle Of Jura paved the way for that type of horse and I’m certainly not going to put him in the same bracket as Isle Of Jura just yet, but he pleased us immensely at home.”

Roger Varian’s Aimeric finished second to Charlie Appleby’s King Of Conquest in the Tapster Stakes over course and distance, before chasing home the same rival in the Fred Archer Stakes at Newmarket.

John and Thady Gosden’s Lion’s Pride has always shown useful ability and now makes his first start in Group company.

Thady Gosden feels conditions at Goodwood will suit Lion's Pride
Thady Gosden feels conditions at Goodwood will suit Lion’s Pride (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Lion’s Pride has always been a talented colt,” said Thady Gosden.

“He’s come forward since his last run and top of the ground over a mile and a half will suit him well.”

Andrew Balding’s one-time Italian Derby third Relentless Dreamer has been in good order this term and completes the five-strong line-up.



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Emily Upjohn team to look for York compensation

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Connections will look to the Yorkshire Oaks with Emily Upjohn after the Qatar Nassau Stakes favourite could only finish a well-beaten sixth at Goodwood.

Supplemented into the 10-furlong contest at a cost of £40,000 last Friday, conditions appeared ideal for John and Thady Gosden’s dual Group One winner to build on her narrow second to Bluestocking in the Pretty Polly Stakes in late June.

However, with a tough draw in stall 10 to overcome and pitched wide in the early stages of the contest, the mount of Kieran Shoemark could never make her presence felt as Opera Singer dictated proceedings and surged to a brilliant victory.

Emily Upjohn (left) was second in Ireland prior to running at Goodwood
Emily Upjohn (left) was second in Ireland prior to running at Goodwood (Damien Eagers/PA)

“We were drawn in stall 10 which is never ideal here. She was a touch slowly away but travelled well in the early part of the race,” said Thady Gosden.

“Coming down the hill she did not pick up how you would have expected her to do. She seems fine afterwards.

“Naturally, when you start favourite, let alone in a Group One, if they don’t quite run how you expect them to it’s disappointing.

“She is in good condition afterwards and she did not take long to cool down. We move on. The mile and a half Yorkshire Oaks on a very fair track is a race which would suit her well.”

See The Fire (right) was only a neck behind Opera Singer
See The Fire (right) was only a neck behind Opera Singer (Andrew Matthews/PA)

It was left to Andrew Balding’s See The Fire to chase home the Aidan O’Brien-trained scorer, with the Jeff Smith-owned daughter of Sea The Stars building on her top-level exposure in both the Coronation Stakes and Coral-Eclipse.

Balding’s Bellum Justum had also finished a close second to O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel in the Gordon Stakes in the race prior.

Balding said: “She is a very good filly and I am sure her turn will come. I am proud of the effort. It is just annoying being beaten two races in a row – Aidan can go home.”

Her jockey Oisin Murphy added: “I thought it was a pace collapse from two furlongs out and I thought I’d pick up Ryan, but, as Ryan taught me in the last race, he takes a bit of passing.”

Meanwhile, Patrice Cottier was taking the positives from the performance of his Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty in third.

Sparkling Plenty (right) was a running-on third
Sparkling Plenty (right) was a running-on third (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Sporting the Al Shaqab silks of the meeting’s sponsor, the daughter of Kingman kept on strongly in the closing stages to be beaten a length in the hands of Cristian Demuro.

‘She just got a little unbalanced but I am pleased with the run,” said Cottier.

“It was always the plan to ride her at the back because we wanted her to relax. She finished really well. She might go for the Prix Vermeille and then we shall see.”



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Teal hopes new Goodwood trip can be a hit for Dancing Gemini

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Dancing Gemini drops both in grade and distance seeking to rediscover the winning groove in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.

Roger Teal’s star colt has been set lofty targets since winning the Flying Scotsman Stakes at two and has not been disgraced when campaigning at the highest level ever since.

He returned at three with an agonising second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, a performance which earned him a shot at further Classic honours in the Derby and while things did not go to plan at Epsom, he came back to 10 furlongs for another shot at City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse.

Having been last of six in testing conditions at Sandown, connections have decided to take stock and lower their sights slightly, with the son of Camelot reverting to Group Three company as he drops back to a mile on the Sussex Downs.

Dancing Gemini after the French 2000 Guineas
Dancing Gemini after the French 2000 Guineas (PA)

“I felt the Eclipse was a tough run for him in that ground and ideally we shouldn’t have run him, and I just wanted to find something easier for him so we could regroup really and see how we get on,” said Teal.

“He was a bit quiet for a week after Sandown, it took a lot out of him, but he seems to be back to himself now and I’m happy with him.

“If he can bring his French Guineas run to the table he should be challenging.”

Dancing Gemini will be ridden for the first time by Oisin Murphy, with Teal finally getting the chance to leg-up the three-time champion jockey having pencilled him in to ride in the Eclipse in June.

Oisin Murphy will ride Dancing Gemini at Goodwood
Oisin Murphy will ride Dancing Gemini at Goodwood (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

“I have not really heard of him much, but I think he’s all right,” quipped Teal.

“I was hoping Oisin could have ridden him in the Eclipse, but he had to go to Haydock that day. He’s had a sit at home and he liked him a lot when he rode him.

“Fingers crossed we can get a clear run and then see what happens.”

This race was won 12 months ago by John and Thady Gosden and they have a real player once again in Lead Artist.

Lead Artist has shown plenty of ability so far
Lead Artist has shown plenty of ability so far (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Beaten a nose on debut in the Wood Ditton, he then impressed when shedding his maiden status at York before finishing third when upped to Listed level for the Henry Cecil Stakes.

Lead Artist is one of two in the race for owners Juddmonte who can also rely on Ralph Beckett’s Task Force – with the Kimpton Down handler himself doubly represented by also saddling King’s Gamble.

Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte, feels there is still plenty to be discovered about both of their colts and said: “They are two nice horses and we are probably trying to learn a bit about both of them, hence why we are letting them run.

“I think Lead Artist didn’t appreciate the soft ground the last day in Newmarket and it was a bit of a messy race – there was one group up the middle and we were on the far side on the slowest ground.

“Kieran (Shoemark, jockey) felt he just didn’t handle the ground and it was good to firm the day he won his maiden and we are looking forward to seeing him back on a sounder surface and we still think he is a colt with plenty of potential moving forward.”

On Task Force, he added: “We’re just in a little bit of limbo with Task Force, in the Guineas he ran a good race but the Jersey was a bit messy and we didn’t really learn much that day.

“He looked to us like he wants further and I think Goodwood on Friday, stepping up to a mile on a sound surface, is going to pinpoint to us whether he is a mile horse, a mile plus or where we are going with him.

“It could be that he has not trained on from two to three, I think we’ll find answers to all the questions like that on Friday, but his work at home has been solid and I do think he has done well from two to three, so we just need to get back on the right path with him.”

Al Musmak winning at Newmarket
Al Musmak winning at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)

It was Roger Varian’s Al Musmak who was ahead of Lead Artist when claiming the Henry Cecil Stakes, successfully dropping back to a mile at Newmarket’s July meeting.

The Carlburg Stables handler is wishing for a favour from the weather gods as he competes at that winning distance once again, with Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle.

“I wouldn’t mind a thunderstorm for him and he appreciated getting his toe in at Newmarket in the Henry Cecil Stakes,” said Varian.

“He’s in great form, but I do think he is better with a little bit of cushion in the ground. It’s a nice race for him.”

Varian is another with two contenders, with Boiling Point another in the mix, while his owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid will see his colours also carried by Karl Burke’s Ice Max.

Socialite lost his unbeaten record in the Henry Cecil and goes for Charlie Hills, with Joseph O’Brien’s Irish Raider Atlantic Coast and Richard Fahey’s Native American completing the line-up.



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Rosallion may return to action in Prix du Moulin

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Rosallion could head to the Prix du Moulin having missed out on a third clash with Notable Speech in the Sussex Stakes.

Richard Hannon’s Irish 2,000 Guineas and Royal Ascot hero was the favourite to take a 2-1 lead in his rivalry with Charlie Appleby’s Classic winner at Goodwood, but was cruelly ruled out of the race on Tuesday due to a respiratory infection.

In Rosallion’s absence, Notable Speech took full advantage to bounce back from his St James’s Palace Stakes disappointment and add a second Group One to his Newmarket success earlier in the season.

Although frustrated the colt he holds in the highest regard never got the opportunity to replicate the Everleigh team’s Canford Cliffs and Toronado, Hannon was full of praise for the resurgent winner, while suggesting the ParisLongchamp Group One on September 8 is a possibility for his star performer.

Hannon told Racing TV: “I thought the winner won very well, gutted not to be there obviously, but I’d rather not take part than stand there afterwards thinking ‘what just happened’?

“It’s a big shame for Goodwood, a lot of people have come up to me in the last couple of days to say ‘I’m very sorry about your horse’ and that’s lovely.

“Nobody died and he’s there to fight another day, and because he’s the horse that we know he is, we’ll take no chances. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid (owner) was very keen that we looked after him.

“The Moulin is a possibility, if we’re there in time. There’s loads of races after that.

“We did target this race, so we might have to rejig a bit, but he’ll be back in no time.”



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Hamad Al-Jehani hoping for big showing from The Strikin Viking

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It could be a huge afternoon in the training career of Hamad Al-Jehani as he prepares to saddle The Strikin Viking for the first time in the Markel Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

A leading trainer in his native Qatar, he has previously won both the Qatar Guineas and Derby in his homeland before setting up a satellite operation in Newmarket to train for leading owners Wathnan Racing.

Keen to provide Al-Jehani with extra firepower during his time in the UK, he has been chosen by Wathnan to oversee the training of their latest signing – the exciting colt named after Manchester City star Erling Haaland.

The Strikin Viking is named in honour of Erling Haaland
The Strikin Viking is named in honour of Erling Haaland (Nigel French/John Walton/PA)

After making a fine introduction at York, he ran a big race when upped to Group Two company for the Curragh’s Railway Stakes, agonisingly headed late in the day.

The son of Inns Of Court now dons the peacock blue and old gold silks of Wathnan for the first time, with his new connections pleased with what they have seen so far.

“Hamad is very happy with him and he did a nice piece of work on the Limekilns last week,” said Richard Brown, European racing adviser for the owners.

“He has settled into his new routine really well and has a great temperament. He’s a big, imposing colt and it’s not just about this year with him.

Hamad Al-Jehani (left) has done well since training for Wathnan Racing in Britain
Hamad Al-Jehani (left) has done well since training for Wathnan Racing in Britain (PA)

“He was on our radar after he won at York and I thought he was impressive at the Curragh. He’s a thoroughly likeable colt with a big engine and he gave James (Doyle) a great feel last week.

“We’re looking forward to running him in Wathnan’s colours for Hamad. It’s a big day for Hamad, but the horse is in great shape and hopefully he can put up a good showing.

“It’s a very prestigious meeting and a prestigious two-year-old race and it’s exciting to have a colt going there with a good chance.”

Although still a maiden, Andrew Balding’s Tropical Storm could be the one to pose The Strikin Viking the most problems.

Tropical Storm (centre) bids to open his account at Goodwood
Tropical Storm (centre) bids to open his account at Goodwood (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

He chased home another of Wathnan’s high-ranking two-year-olds when second to Shareholder in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and now steps up to six furlongs on the advice of Oisin Murphy.

“It was a great run in the Norfolk and he was caught a little wide on the wing and was a bit lonely, but he put his head down and kept on it really well,” said Richard Ryan, racing manager for owners Teme Valley Racing.

“Oisin has ridden him on two occasions and on both occasions fed back to us he was keen to ride him over six furlongs, so it looked a logical race for him based on rider comments and he’s trained really well leading up to it.

“He’s got a very good mind, he’s strong and has an admirable attitude and hopefully those attributes will be useful at Goodwood.”

Billboard Star impressed at Newmarket when getting off the mark
Billboard Star impressed at Newmarket when getting off the mark (PA)

Billboard Star has improved markedly since a gallant third over course and distance on debut, shedding his maiden status on Newmarket’s July course before returning to finish runner-up to Whistlejacket in the July Stakes.

“He’s a lovely horse and it wasn’t a surprise he ran really well in the July Stakes,” said trainer Eve Johnson Houghton.

“I think he’ll go close in the Richmond. He’s run at Goodwood before, so we know he handles the track and we’re very hopeful.”

Paul and Oliver Cole won this with Royal Scotsman two years ago and will saddle King Of Bears, who stepped up on his first start to win in good style at Newbury second time around.

The Waco Kid, who was back in fourth behind King Of Bears on that occasion, has also gone on to score at the Berkshire track and represents Hugo Palmer and Ryan Moore.

Michael O’Callaghan’s Irish raider Black Forza and Clive Cox’s Windsor maiden scorer Aparajeo are other winners in the field, with Alice Haynes’ Listed-placed Big Cyril and Ed Bethell’s Intrusively completing the line-up.



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Vincent Ho relishing chance for first taste of Goodwood action

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Vincent Ho will finally get to scratch a long-held itch when he forms part of Charlie Johnston’s team of jockeys at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

The Hong Kong jockey is best known for his association with superstar Golden Sixty, but has always wanted to experience riding the undulations of the famous Sussex Downs.

He was due to be at Goodwood’s showcase summer meeting 12 months ago, only to miss out after sustaining a fractured T5 vertebrae and concussion in a fall in Japan shortly before his planned departure for the UK.

The 34-year-old – who was part of the Shergar Cup-winning Rest of the World team at Ascot in 2019 – will now get his taste of the action having been handed three mounts for the opening day of the meeting, while he hopes to pick up even more as the week goes on.

He said: “Goodwood has been on the plan for quite a while and it will be great to ride there.

“I’ve watched races from Goodwood every year in Hong Kong and to finally to be able to ride there is amazing.

“I’m lucky enough to have a few rides thanks to some support from Mr Johnston – they always do well there. I’ll be there the whole festival no matter if I have a ride that day or not to enjoy it.”

Although this is the first time Ho will experience Goodwood, he is no stranger to British racecourses having partnered seven winners in two previous stints in the UK in 2018 and 2019.

He registered his first winner of his latest visit at Pontefract, while his UK tour has also seen a man more accustomed to driving home winners at Sha Tin and Happy Valley riding at Musselburgh, Leicester, Doncaster and Sandown.

Ho has relished the chance to test his ability at some of the different tracks on the British circuit and is hoping to tick off a few more before he heads back to the Far East midway through August.

He added: “I’ve been riding a few different tracks and having fun and a few places I haven’t been before. I’m enjoying it so far.

“I find them even more fun to ride than places like Sha Tin because the track there is quite normal, but in the UK everything is so varied, it’s up and down, left and right, long straight, short straight and more variable. It’s different and tests horses much more.

“For me, it’s good and I enjoy it as I normally race on two racetracks all year round (in Hong Kong) while over here (in the UK) there is a few different ones.

“Ill be here until August 17 and then I will head to Japan. I always feel so welcome when I come here and people are so kind and it makes it easier for me.”



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Live In The Dream given Goodwood Hart transplant

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Jason Hart has received the call-up to ride Live In The Dream in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood next Friday, as Adam West searches for the missing link that will return his star sprinter to the peak of his powers.

The five-year-old provided West with his first Group One victory when landing the Nunthorpe in blistering fashion last year and then took his connections on a dream trip to Santa Anita, where he was a gallant fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The man in the saddle both at York and in America was Sean Kirrane, who has partnered Live In The Dream in 15 of his 23 starts and has played a key part in the gelding’s journey to the top of the sprinting ladder.

Live In The Dream winning the Nunthorpe at York
Live In The Dream winning the Nunthorpe at York (Simon Marper/PA)

However, having failed to strike in three outings this term, West is keen to find out if there is a piece of the puzzle he is missing in his quest to return Live In The Dream to winning ways and has turned to an experienced hand for assistance.

The Epsom-based trainer stresses Kirrane “hasn’t done anything wrong” aboard the son of Prince Of Lir, but it will be Hart in the saddle on the Sussex Downs as West taps into his wealth of knowledge acquired from previously steering the likes of King George rival Big Evs and multiple Group One scorer Highfield Princess.

West said: “Sean hasn’t done anything wrong and is still a part of our team. We love using Sean when we can and he is mainly based up north, so it can be difficult to use him as regularly as we like.

Jason Hart was the regular jockey of Highfield Princess
Jason Hart was the regular jockey of Highfield Princess (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“With this horse in particular, Sean knows him very well, but we just want to make sure we are not missing anything and want the advice of a jockey who has ridden in these races and ridden against Live In The Dream and who can advise us if we are missing anything or can improve on anything.

“Jason is coming in to ride him on Monday and will ride him on Friday, all being well. He’s won big races on Big Evs and with Highfield Princess, who was behind us in the Nunthorpe.

“He knows the pace the horse can do and has actually ridden him as a two-year-old as well, so we’re just looking for some advice.”



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Gosden duo in fine spirits ahead of Goodwood Cup test

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John and Thady Gosden are set to launch a two-pronged assault on the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, with Sweet William and Gregory tasked with toppling Aidan O’Brien’s Gold Cup hero Kyprios.

Both finished behind Kyprios at Ascot, with Sweet William producing another consistent performance in the staying ranks to finish third, while Gregory was seventh, having failed to see out the stamina-sapping two-and-a-half-mile trip.

The duo’s stablemate and Gold Cup runner-up Trawlerman is not in the mix, but the Clarehaven team are happy with their chosen representatives in the Group One event, with the pair both being winners at the track previously.

Gregory (left) won the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in 2023
Gregory (left) won the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot in 2023 (John Walton/PA)

With the forecast looking dry, they could encounter their preferred surface on the Sussex Downs – in a race which the yard won for four successive years with Stradivarius between 2017 and 2020.

“Gregory and Sweet William have both done well since Ascot,” said Thady Gosden.

“They’ve obviously freshened up since then and they’ve been busy in their work at home. We’re hoping for a good run.

“Gregory enjoys top of the ground and Sweet William ran a great race to be third in the Gold Cup on good to firm, so with the forecast looking how it is, the ground shouldn’t pose any issues at all.”



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‘Real possibility’ Emily Upjohn could be supplemented for Nassau Stakes

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The Qatar Nassau Stakes is a “real possibility” for Emily Upjohn, as connections ponder supplementing the dual Group One winner for the Goodwood contest.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the daughter of Sea The Stars has struck at the highest level at both three and four, but is without a victory in three starts this season having been agonisingly hunted down late in the day in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last month.

That narrow reversal came on testing ground, but with conditions seemingly set fair in the build-up to the Qatar Goodwood Festival, ensuring a sound surface for Emily Upjohn to race on could prove crucial in the decision to pay the £40,000 required to supplement later this week.

“We’re looking at it (the Nassau) and John (Gosden) will make the decision,” said Simon Marsh, racing and bloodstock manager to Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber who co-own the five-time winner.

Emily Upjohn (left) had to settle for second behind Bluestocking in Ireland
Emily Upjohn (left) had to settle for second behind Bluestocking in Ireland (Damien Eagers/PA)

“The supplementary stage is on Friday, but we’re definitely looking at it and it’s a real possibility she is going to run.

“We will just check the weather forecast before we finally decide to supplement her, but if it looks like it’s clear weather and she is going to get her ground then it’s a real possibility.”

An appearance in the Nassau would see Emily Upjohn looking to make it third-time lucky in Group One contests over 10 furlongs having picked up a silver medal in both of her previous tries in elite company at the trip.

Her entries for later in the year are back up at a mile and a half, although following her brave effort in defeat in the Pretty Polly connections are happy to roll the dice once again over a mile and a quarter.

Emily Upjohn has been a star for connections
Emily Upjohn has been a star for connections (John Walton/PA)

Marsh continued: “I think she ran extremely well over 10 furlongs in the Eclipse last year when only beaten by Paddington, who was at the top of his game, and I think sadly it rained very hard at the Curragh.

“It went from good to firm to soft in the afternoon and who is to say she would have been caught if the ground had been quicker that day?

“Obviously she was beaten by a very good filly in Bluestocking but we would be very happy to give her a chance again over a mile and a quarter.”

Potential opponents for Emily Upjohn in the Nassau Stakes include stablemate Inspiral, Aidan O’Brien’s Coronation Stakes runner-up Opera Singer and Patrice Cottier’s Prix de Diane scorer Sparkling Plenty.



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Nassau next for Guineas heroine Elmalka

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Elmalka is set to contest the Nassau Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, with Roger Varian of the opinion that the time is right to step up in trip with his 1000 Guineas heroine.

Although a somewhat surprise winner of the Newmarket Classic in May, the form of the race now has a strong look to it.

The Guineas runner-up Porta Fortuna may have reversed Rowley Mile form with Elmalka when claiming the Coronation Stakes, but the Carlburg Stables filly was certainly not disgraced at Royal Ascot – beaten just under four lengths into fourth place.

Varian feels that performance proved Elmalka is right amongst this season’s leading fillies and he is now keen to test her stamina over 10 furlongs on the Sussex Downs on August 1.

“She’s great and she is going to go to Goodwood for the Nassau Stakes,” said the Newmarket handler.

“I think the step up in trip will suit her and she didn’t disgrace herself at Ascot, I was very pleased with her run.

“She was a bit slow away and didn’t get the track position. For me it was a run that showed the Guineas was no fluke, it showed she is a top filly.

“She didn’t quite get the run of the race at Ascot but I think she is ready for a step up in trip now.”



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Channon sure Desperate Hero can make impact in major sprints

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Desperate Hero will continue plying his trade in top company, with Jack Channon confident he has a future star of the sprint division on his hands after his fine effort at Sandown.

Having steadily risen through the ranks, the four-year-old has excelled in handicaps this season, with back-to-back victories earning him a shot at the Group Three Coral Charge last Saturday.

Sent off at 5-1 in Esher, he made a bold bid from the front and surged clear with two furlongs to run before being cruelly hunted down by Ed Walker’s Makarova and Andrew Balding’s Purosangue in the closing stages.

However, Channon took plenty of encouragement from this brave first appearance in group company and feels his charge has proved he belongs at that level.

The handler said: “I think a lot of people thought he was home and hosed, but if you weren’t at Sandown you wouldn’t know there was a pretty severe headwind and the ground was pretty soft.

“I’ve always thought he was a horse who would be better on good ground even though he handles soft and I think that headwind, the ground and being hassled early, probably paid in the final furlong.

“I do think the way he showed them a clean pair of heels at the two-furlong pole shows you quite how good a horse he is and he is a horse I wouldn’t swap for any other horse in the division.”

Desperate Hero will now follow the “pretty straightforward” sprint programme for the rest of the campaign.

Desperate Hero (left) made a bold bid from the front at Sandown
Desperate Hero (left) made a bold bid from the front at Sandown (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)

The King George Stakes during the Qatar Goodwood Festival (August 2) will be the son of Captain Gerrard’s next objective before marching on to York for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (August 23) and then the Curragh for the Flying Five Stakes on September 15.

“I think the calendar in the sprint division speaks for itself and there is a pretty straightforward route,” continued Channon.

“He will go to Goodwood and then onto the Nunthorpe, then Ireland and then that will probably be his season over.

“If he could pick one of them up this year, then that would be fantastic but he’s only four and a gelding and he will hopefully be around for many a year, so we will mind him as well and hopefully he is a horse we can have around for plenty of years to come.”



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Drop in class and trip on the cards for Dancing Gemini

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Dancing Gemini is poised to drop back to a mile in search of a confidence boost after the colt finished down the field in the Coral-Eclipse.

Roger Teal’s stable star had finished second in the French 2000 Guineas on his return before not being disgraced behind City Of Troy in the Derby.

The move back to 10 furlongs at Sandown was expected to bring the two Epsom rivals closer than the eight and a quarter lengths which separated them on the Surrey Downs.

However, after travelling menacingly into the straight, Dancing Gemini failed to pick-up in the rain-softened ground – finishing last of the six to take part as City Of Troy once again took home the spoils.

Dancing Gemini winning at Doncaster as a two-year-old
Dancing Gemini winning at Doncaster as a two-year-old (Tim Goode/PA)

Teal said: “I think he struggled on the ground and he travelled really strong, it was just when Kieran (Shoemark, jockey) thought he was going to pick up, he just couldn’t and his stride shortened.

“I’m not sure he saw the trip out on that ground and he was travelling best of all coming up the hill but when Kieran asked him, he was padding a little bit.

“I would love to run this horse on better ground and I was concerned in the morning because of the amount of rain they had. I know what that hill is like at Sandown, it stops trains.”

As well as somewhat regretting the decision to run once conditions deteriorated in Esher, Teal feels now is the time to take stock and return to a mile.

Trainer Roger Teal is considering a move back to a mile with Dancing Gemini
Trainer Roger Teal is considering a move back to a mile with Dancing Gemini (John Walton/PA)

A drop in grade is also on the cards and the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood on August 2 is in the back of the trainer’s mind for his colt’s next outing.

Teal continued: “He’s got form on soft ground and you were snookered into running him, but I think in hindsight I might have been better hooking him out – you live and learn.

“I would like to drop back to a mile and regroup. We’re just going to monitor him over the next week or so and make sure we are happy with him and then maybe step back to a mile next time.

“I think we will lower our sights a little bit, get a confidence-booster into him and get him back on track. We probably need to get our sensible heads on and try something at a slightly lesser level and go from there.

“There’s a Group Three at Goodwood over a mile in August – that is something I have my eye on if he is OK. We will probably aim for that and see what happens and try to get him back on track.”



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