Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle previews the best action from Day 4 of the Goodwood Festival, headlined by the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes.
Fast Five The Key to King George’s Favorite Key
The five furlongs down the hill were tailor-made for Karl Burke’s lightning speed. night raider Featured at The Goodwood Festival on Friday is one who could bounce back from defeat at Royal Ascot. King George Qatar Steak (3.35).
Ascot was too stiff a test for him but the Temple Stakes winner can show his class with a decent attacking draw from stall 13 despite having to concede a 3lb penalty for a Group 2 blitz at Haydock.
Aspect Islandwho recently finished a close second in the York Listed Company, looks set to win the group race and could give James Owen and Billy Loughnane another good showing. Having finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint last fall, he is another one who should enjoy this test of pure speed.
New York can be the headline
new york story William Buick in Group 3 could produce a headline performance. HKJC World Full Thoroughbred Steak (2.25) Friday.
Wootton Bassett, a son of Godolphin, caught my eye in the Heron Stakes at Sandown and then was a big figure in the St James’s Palace Stakes at the Royal Meeting. In fact, he was less than two lengths behind Wednesday’s brilliant Sussex Stakes winner Bow Echo.
saber strike In these conditions you can find 9lbs with Charlie Appleby’s colts, but William Haggas and team have always been well regarded. Third from York’s Group Three Criterion, it’s a good read, and the combination of the first blinker and this unusual track will grab his attention.
A golden opportunity for Spencer in the feature handicap.
that Coral Golden Mile Friday (3.00) will feature an incredible spectacle as 20 runners race down the hill, including David Menuisier’s race. tribal leader.
It all means a big performance from the five-year-old, driven by Jamie Spencer. Jamie is a master of words like that. He caught my eye with big handicap defeats at Ascot and Sandown and looked ready to enjoy a day in the sun at a track where he had already won.
I’m also hoping my husband Tom (Marquand’s) mounts. Scoville He was able to produce an encouraging performance in the Royal Hunt Cup for the first time since Operation Wind. He was there to take the shot at Ascot, but he may have to ride differently this time than his wide draw.
Friday Marathon Trust the King Stealer
I’m a huge fan of Alan King’s Sojourner. Bilibitandukan Who can extend their winning streak in the marathon to four this year? Coral Goodwood Handicap Friday (1.50).
The improving five-year-old can move up a light 5lb to his win in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle last month. He won’t mind the extra half mile since he stays all day, and it’s another plum ride for William Buick.
intrepidity He cleared his copybook at the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot, behind Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, but before that he seemed incredibly progressive and shouldn’t be removed so quickly. He’s a worthy favorite but you have to give Bilibitandukan All are 10 pounds.
Keep an eye out for Irish Raider at higher prices Alphonse the Great He wasn’t much different from my pick at Gosforth Park and recorded the same score as his controversial win at Cesarewitch two years ago. I got the vase from him at Newcastle in 2024 and I know what a tough and thorough player he was that day.
Hannon Embark on the ideal journey for sprinters
Jaizai It looks well drawn for 6 furlongs and has a good weight. Hawes and Curtis Nursery Handicap Friday (4.45). Richard Hannon’s course winner probably found the five-furlong test at Windsor too easy last time out. But when it comes to travel, backing up can prove a more difficult proposition.
Innichen A typically tough Jack Channon handicapper, he’s another one to keep an eye on. He’s up eight pounds in a hotter race than he won at Nottingham, but Tom (Marquand) knows him well and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him continue his upward curve despite a questionable draw.
I’ll be back on Saturday with my thoughts on the memorable final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, including the Stewards’ Cup.
