Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her expert insights on the top action from Day Four of the Goodwood Festival, headlined by the Group Two King George Qatar Stakes. Karl Burke's speedster Night Raider is poised to bounce back from his Royal Ascot defeat, well-suited to the five-furlong downhill track. Having won the Temple Stakes, Night Raider can demonstrate his class from a favorable draw in stall 13, despite shouldering a three-pound penalty for his Group Two victory at Haydock. Aspect Island, who finished a close second in a Listed York race, has the potential to win a Group race and can put in a strong performance for James Owen and Billy Loughnane.
Following his third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, he is another contender who should excel in this pure speed test. Talk Of New York is anticipated to deliver a standout performance for William Buick in the Group Three HKJC World Pool Thoroughbred Stakes.
Godolphin's Wootton Bassett son caught attention in the Heron Stakes at Sandown before running a notable figure in the St James's Palace Stakes at the Royal Meeting, despite struggling to settle. He was less than two lengths behind the brilliant Sussex Stakes winner Bow Echo. Saber Strike has a 9lb deficit to make up with Charlie Appleby's colt but has always been highly regarded by William Haggas and the team. His third-place finish in the Group Three Criterion at York is a promising sign, and the combination of first-time blinkers and this unique track should keep him engaged.
The Coral Golden Mile on Friday promises to be an exciting spectacle with 20 runners, including David Menuisier's Tribal Chief. Everything indicates a strong run from the five-year-old, with Jamie Spencer at the helm.
Jamie is a master with hold-up horses like him, and he caught my eye in defeat in significant handicaps at Ascot and Sandown. I also have high hopes for my husband Tom Marquand's mount Scoville, who can build on an encouraging run in the Royal Hunt Cup following a wind operation. He was up there to be shot at in Ascot but may need to be ridden differently from his wide draw this time.
I am a big fan of Alan King's stayer Believitanducan, who can extend his winning streak to four this year in the marathon Coral Goodwood Handicap on Friday. The improving five-year-old can make light work of a five-pound rise for his win in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle last month. He stays all day, so the extra half mile won't be a concern, and is another prime ride for William Buick.
Valiancy had a disappointing run in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot behind Alan King's Daiquiri Bay but looked highly progressive before that and shouldn't be written off too soon. He is a worthy favorite but must give Believitanducan 10lbs. At a bigger price, keep an eye on Irish raider Alphonse Le Grande, who wasn't far behind my selection at Gosforth Park and races off the same mark he won in the controversial Cesarewitch two years ago. I won the Vase on him at Newcastle in 2024 and know what a tough, thorough stayer he is on his day.
Jaijai looks well-drawn and well-weighted in the six-furlong Hawes and Curtis Nursery Handicap on Friday. Richard Hannon's course winner probably found five-furlongs at Windsor too easy a test last time but can prove a tougher proposition back up in trip. Innichen is a typically tough Jack Channon handicapper who is another to keep an eye on.
He is up eight-pounds in a hotter race than the one he won at Nottingham, but Tom Marquand knows him well, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him continue that upward curve despite a questionable draw.