13:50 Goodwood

Leg 1 Selections: Many A Star, Gis A Sub, Music Society 

MANY A STAR has probably been targeted at this race all season given he won it last year and this time around, he is two pounds lower in the handicap. He should make a bold bid, while GIS A SUB has only encountered heavy ground once and that was in a Group 2 in France. He is nicely treated on the pick of his form. MUSIC SOCIETY was a solid fourth in this two years ago from only a pound lower mark and has won on deep ground in the past as well. 

14:25 Goodwood

Leg 2 Selections: Splendent, Mr Curiosity 

SPLENDENT won by over four lengths at Newbury last time and has winning form on soft ground. Ryan Moore takes the ride and his mount could be set to run a very big race. MR CURIOSITY scored on soft ground a fortnight ago at Ripon and is on the same mark as when eighth of 21 in the November Handicap. 

15:00 Goodwood

Leg 3 Selections: River Of Stars 

Free Wind will be tough to beat but RIVER OF STARS might offer some value. Ralph Beckett’s filly has only been out of the frame once in her career and after winning a Listed event back in August of last year, she won a Group 3 at York on her reappearance before finishing a close-up second in a Group 2 in France. That was another career-best RPR and she is bred to handle testing ground, so she is undoubtedly the biggest threat to the favourite. 

15:35 Goodwood

Leg 4 Selections: Came From The Dark, Tactical, Mums Tipple 

An excellent field for this year’s edition of the Stewards’ Cup. With the expected rain over the next couple of hours, I assume conditions will be very testing come post-time. One horse who will love conditions is the bottom-weight CAME FROM THE DARK who is a former Group 3 winner with winning form on heavy ground over this distance. He has plenty in his favour, while TACTICAL has fallen to a dangerous mark and has also ran well on testing ground twice. He has the class to figure, as does MUMS TIPPLE who is due a big handicap win and Frankie retains the ride. I think all three have a great chance of being competitive at the very least. 

16:10 Goodwood

Leg 5 Selections: New Business, Thunder Ball

This is a difficult race to solve but NEW BUSINESS is a lot better than he showed on handicap debut at Sandown when only fourth but that race has worked out well and Ryan Moore takes over this time. He could firmly get back on track but THUNDER BALL ran a career-best fourth when fourth of 29 in the Britannia Stakes and would only need to repeat that performance in this race to give himself every chance. He is closely matched with Urban Sprawl. 

16:45 Goodwood

Leg 6 Selections: Devil’s Point, Royal Supremacy, Celtic Warrior 

DEVIL’S POINT was an expensive purchase prior to showing inexperience but promise when fifth on debut at Sandown. He will know more about his job here and should be competitive if handling the ground. Andrew Balding has had two winners at the meeting this year and both his debutants ROYAL SUPREMACY and CELTIC WARRIOR merit some consideration. Not the easiest of races to solve with guesswork involved but hopefully one of these can fill the frame at least if we get to the final race on the pool.