UK Horse Racing Tips: Goodwood

A fiendishly difficult handicap to get the meeting underway, and only a tentative vote can go to DIEGO EL QUESO. Ger Lyons' gelding has really kicked on this season and after being narrowly denied on his return at the Curragh, he duly went one place better at Leopardstown. He met trouble back at the same venue next time but came home strongly to fill the runner-up spot, suggesting he's still one step ahead of the handicapper. Noble Horizon bolted up at Leicester and has to be respected, as does Wave Rider, who returns to the UK following a spell in Bahrain. Midak makes his handicap bow having come up short at a high level, and don't rule out Windsor scorer Twisting Physics at a big price.
Prediction : 1st Diego El Queso 2nd Noble Horizon 3rd Wave Rider

But for an unfortunate Yarmouth mishap second time out, AL HUDAIBA would have been making it four from four when landing the Superlative. He still showed some quirks, but that success only further highlighted how promising a youngster he really is. The Dark Angel colt sports blinkers, seemingly to try and combat a tendency to hang, but it'll take a mighty performance to beat him, even under a penalty. Pikachu has yet to break his maiden but he's posted a trio of fine efforts in defeat, most recently when third to the selection. Aidan O'Brien saddles Haffner, who is the main threat following his breakthrough triumph, and it would be unwise to rule out any of the remainder, although they would need to take a big leap forward.
Prediction : 1st Al Hudaiba 2nd Haffner 3rd Pikachu

Witness Stand defeated LAKE FOREST in this contest 12 months ago, but it's hard to envisage that form being upheld this time around. William Haggas' gelding returned with an impressive Listed win at Haydock before emerging with plenty of credit in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. It did once again prove that 6f is probably a little shy of his optimal trip, though, and he is upwards of 4lb clear on official ratings. Qirat bounced back to form in the Criterion and is sure to threaten if allowed to set his own fractions, while Marvelman appears to hold solid claims too.
Prediction : 1st Lake Forest 2nd Qirat 3rd Marvelman

Scandinavia's triumph in this contest last season was the beginning of an impressive staying career, in which time he has added a St Leger and Ascot Gold Cup to a stellar CV. The Justify colt broke the heart of TRAWLERMAN at Ascot, but the Gosdens' admirable gelding was lacking match practice prior to that run, which wasn't the case 12 months prior, so if stepping forward as expected, it would come as no surprise were he to exact his revenge. Last year's Derby runner-up Lazy Griff warmed up for this with a cosy Listed win at Sandown and should still have plenty more to offer.
Prediction : 1st Trawlerman 2nd Scandinavia 3rd Lazy Griff

Twilight Calls flashed past the Newmarket winning post just a head in front of stable companion Rapper's Delight and there should be little between them again. On the same day, Ziggy's Triton accounted for Spring Is Sprung at York, although he was only mid-division in the Epsom 'Dash', finishing behind minor placegetters Vintage Clarets and Lexington Blitz. Tatterstall wasn't far away in the aforementioned Newmarket race and won here two years ago, but a chance is taken on JASOUR. A high-class sprinter at his best, the five-year-old doesn't help himself by failing to settle but, back over 5f in this big field, everything could drop right for him.
Prediction : 1st Jasour 2nd Twilight Calls 3rd Rappers Delight

FINAL OBJECTIVE was a solid second on debut and improved past his Lingfield conqueror when running a blinder for seventh in the Coventry. He has been gelded since and that shouldn't need to spark too much improvement for him to get off the mark dropped significantly in class. Dorigo was another to run above himself at Ascot when not too far away in the Windsor Castle, while Savage Mariner also went to the Royal meeting, although he didn't perform quite as well when down the field in the Norfolk. He did get closest to Albany heroine Libertango on his Leicester introduction, though. Expect considerable improvement from Doncaster third Launch Sequence.
Prediction : 1st Final Objective 2nd Launch Sequence 3rd Dorigo

RUMBA NUMBA was fourth in this 12 months ago and looks a better filly now, judging by her successful Doncaster comeback and fine fifth in the Kensington Palace. Her rating hasn't changed since the Royal meeting and she can take full advantage in a race that may not be quite as competitive. Annastarzy is flying and completed a three-timer at Newbury, while Crazee Icon is the one on a hat-trick now after her Chester brace. Handicap debutants Wid and Si Grass command attention, and Star Mirage is also interesting having been freshened up since a two-race Meydan campaign.
Prediction : 1st Rumba Numba 2nd Annastarzy 3rd Crazee Icon

Zen Diva and Paradise Walk give Ralph Beckett a strong hand, while Bintaryana is improving at a rate of knots, but MACHADADORP can continue Andrew Balding's excellent run. The daughter of Mehmas showed plenty of dash to win at Chester and Wetherby, and didn't fully settle when runner-up at Newmarket, so maybe the drop from 7f could be right up her street. Secret History makes the same distance move and it won't bother her either, whereas Zighy will be happier now back up in trip. Throw Newmarket one-two Sing The Blues and Shallow into the mix too.
Prediction : 1st Machadadorp 2nd Zen Diva 3rd Bintaryana