Our correspondent offers a preview of a packed Saturday programme that includes the Listed August Stakes at Windsor, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing from 4:30 p.m. The centerpiece of the evening’s coverage on Sky Sports Racing is the Listed Weatherbys August Stakes (run over 6.30 furlongs). This race is likely to see my husband, jockey Tom Marquand, aboard the well‑regarded William Haggas‑trained Tenability. Tenability arrives at Windsor with a solid record on the course and a reputation for handling softer ground without any trouble.
He demonstrated his affinity for rain‑softened turf at Ascot last autumn when he chased home Al Qareem in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes, showing that a little water does not deter him. Since that performance, he has been kept in good form, having beaten his stablemate Hamish at Goodwood in June and then producing a respectable third‑place finish in a Group Three at Deauville over a distance that exceeds today’s trip. When compared with the intriguing Silawi, Tenability’s recent credentials look more compelling.
Silawi has under‑delivered relative to the promise he showed when he captured the Group One International in Canada last October and later chased home Opera Ballo in the Jebel Hatta in Dubai in January. Those high‑profile efforts have not translated into consistency, making Tenability the more attractive option for the Windsor contest.
The most prestigious fixture on the Saturday card is the Group Two Virgin Bet Celebration Mile Stakes (3.10) at Goodwood. I will be backing the affable Zavateri, who appears poised to secure his first win of the year. Zavateri, a three‑year‑old trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, ran respectably behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and held his own in Notable Speech’s Group One at York last weekend. Although that race was a quick turnaround, Zavateri has previously demonstrated Pattern‑level form at this course by winning the Vintage Stakes, and I expect him to take advantage of the likely soft ground to beat the odds‑on favourite Qirat, last year’s surprise Sussex Stakes winner who can be a danger if he gets loose early.
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George Scott appears tempted to place Forty Years On in stakes company, and he will be targeting the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap (2.00) at Goodwood. This progressive filly, who has been lifted eight pounds to a rating of 96, recorded four wins from five starts after a comfortable victory on easy ground at Newbury in early June. Any further rain on the South Coast should suit her, and she will face Andrew Balding’s Ghost Mode, a horse that won at the Goodwood Festival despite hanging badly.
Ghost Mode carries four pounds more and looks to be her biggest threat, although The Fingal Raven also boasts strong form and could offer value at longer odds. William Haggas‑trained gelding High Degree, a son of Too Darn Hot, looks capable of giving his rivals a weight advantage in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap (2.35) at Goodwood. Cieren Fallon’s mount was revitalised by the introduction of cheekpieces at Pontefract a couple of weeks ago and remains lightly raced enough to handle a four‑pound increase. Gary and Josh Moore’s Too Soon appears well‑handicapped despite a win at Epsom early in the summer, and he could provide a solid ride for the young Warren Fentiman if the colt is fully prepared after a three‑month break.
For fans of Welsh trainer Chris Mason, All Ways Glamorous should be watched closely. The horse performed admirably in the Shergar Cup and may settle for a share of the minor prize money in the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap (4.55) at Goodwood. My personal pick, however, is David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who ran a strong race in defeat at York last week before struggling on softer ground four days later. His fifth‑place finish in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood suggests he can measure up to seasoned rivals under the guidance of Danny Tudhope in this tough finale.
Turning to Sandown, I expect Secret Of Life to maintain her unbeaten record in the Group Three BetMGM Atalanta Stakes (2.50) on Saturday. Ralph Beckett’s daughter of the brilliant Pinatubo captured the Listed Coral Distaff on Eclipse Day and now looks ready to step up, benefiting from a weight concession to older, classier fillies.
Calendar Girl also catches my eye. After a Listed win on her return at Haydock Park three weeks ago, she entered the Group One Sun Chariot and is likely to be aimed for another progression by trainer Owen Burrows. Both of Sonic Angel’s victories have come on all‑weather surfaces, but Simon and Ed Crisford’s colt possesses the credentials to make a successful turf debut in the Group Three BetMGM Solario Stakes (3.30) at Sandown.
I was impressed by Oisin Murphy’s mount, who drew clear of the 90‑rated Siouxperb on debut at Newcastle before following up with a penalty‑laden run at Kempton Park this month. Although the horse still needs to prove itself at higher levels, his entries in the Group Two Champagne Stakes and the Group One Dewhurst suggest a bright future. He should be able to take on Godolphin’s promising Yarmouth debut winner Rock Montreal.
In summary, Saturday’s card offers a blend of proven talent and emerging prospects across a variety of distances and ground conditions. Tenability’s proven adaptability to rain, Zavateri’s potential for a breakthrough mile win, and Secret Of Life’s unbeaten streak are among the storylines to watch. As always, Sky Sports Racing’s coverage, featuring insights from Hollie Doyle and Simon Mapletoft, will provide the expert analysis needed to navigate the day’s betting opportunities.