The five day Glorious Goodwood horse racing festival opens on the picturesque Sussex Downs and we have highlighted five of the potential stars of the meeting which will be shown live on ITV
Glorious Goodwood promises five days of thrilling racing with some of the best horses in Europe set to make an appearance.
Among the stars booked in are Paddington, the best three-year-old colt in Europe, and France’s Blue Rose Cen, arguably the best three-year-old filly.
Paddington, winner of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes last time out, is set to return to a mile for the Qatar Sussex Stakes while Blue Rose Cen takes on older fillies for the first time in the Nassau Stakes.
Tuesday’s Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup is the first of three Group 1 races to take place at the picturesque track which will feature a rematch between the Ascot Gold Cup one-two Courage Mon Ami and Coltrane.
Tuesday
Courage Mon Ami – Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (4.35)
Provided the highlight of Frankie Dettori’s final appearance at Royal Ascot by landing the Gold Cup to take his score to four wins from four starts with his defeat of Coltrane. Already has experience of the track from his May handicap victory. With the colt owned by the Emir of Qatar, winning at the Qatar-sponsored fixture will be a top priority.
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Wednesday
Paddington – Qatar Sussex Stakes (3.35)
Likely to start the hottest favourite of the week and deservedly so for the tough Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old colt being compared to ‘Iron Horse’ Giant’s Causeway.
Wins in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Coral-Eclipse Stakes have established him at the summit in Europe. Now bids for his fourth Group 1 victory on the bounce having started the year in a handicap. Beat Emily Uphohn last time, now takes on stablemate Inspiral on return to 1m.
Thursday
Nashwa – Qatar Nassau Stakes (3.35)
The last two winners of the French Oaks, the Prix de Diane, go head to head for the first time. The unbeaten French filly Blue Rose Cen won by four lengths at Chantilly but could have her hands full against a rejuvenated Nashwa, last year’s Nassau winner. After a sequence of disappointing efforts, she was scintillating in the Falmouth Stakes, streaking to a five lengths victory at Newmarket.
Friday
Highfield Princess – King George Qatar Stakes (3.35)
The rags-to-riches sprinter has not had the rub of the green so far this year but has still looked as good as ever. Ran twice at Royal Ascot, losing out to Bradsell in the King’s Stand Stakes, then finished third when on the wrong side in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes four days later. She drops in class seeking a return to winning ways ahead of the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
Saturday
Orazio – Coral Stewards’ Cup (3.35)
Sent off a well backed favourite for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot after coasting to wins at Newmarket and Ascot. He ran well without troubling the winner Saint Lawrence, finishing two and half lengths behind in sixth place. Trainer Charlie Hills has won this race with Magical Memory and Khaadem, both future Group horses, and Orazio looks to be on a similar pathway.