Our correspondent offers a preview of a packed Saturday at Windsor, featuring the Listed August Stakes, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing from 4:30 p.m. The evening’s headline race is the Listed Weatherbys August Stakes over six and a half furlongs.
This contest could see a strong showing from Tom Marquand aboard Tenability, trained by the veteran William Haggas. Tenability arrives at Windsor with a solid record on the track and a proven ability to handle soft ground.
He demonstrated his resilience last autumn at Ascot, where he chased down Al Qareem in the Cumberland Lodge despite the rain‑soaked surface. Since that performance, the colt has been kept fresh, having beaten his stablemate Hamish at Goodwood in June and then securing a respectable third place in a Group Three at Deauville over a longer distance. When compared with the intriguing Silawi, Tenability’s recent form looks more compelling. Silawi has under‑delivered relative to expectations after his Group One triumph in Canada last October and a close second in the Jebel Hatta in Dubai earlier this year.
Tenability’s consistency and adaptability give him the edge in a race that could be heavily influenced by the weather. The day’s most prestigious contest is the Group Two Virgin Bet Celebration Mile Stakes at Goodwood, scheduled for 3:10 p.m.
I am inclined to back the affable Zavateri, who appears primed to claim his first victory of the season. Zavateri, a three‑year‑old trained by Eve Johnson‑Houghton, ran respectably in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, staying close behind Bow Echo, and performed admirably in the Group One at York last weekend despite a modest rating. Zavateri’s quick turnaround from the Vintage Stakes—where he displayed winning pattern form—makes him a strong candidate for the mile. I anticipate he will prevail over the likes of Qirat, last year’s surprise Sussex Stakes winner, who could become a liability if he gets unsettled in the early stages.
In the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap at Goodwood, George Scott appears to have placed Forty Years On into stakes company, seeking to exploit a favorable mark. The progressive filly, recently raised eight pounds to a rating of 96, has shown form by winning four of her last five starts, including a convincing victory on easy ground at Newbury in early June. Any further rain along the South Coast should suit her well.
She will face Andrew Balding’s Ghost Mode, a horse that triumphed at the Goodwood Festival despite a tendency to hang. Ghost Mode carries a four‑pound penalty and presents the most significant threat to the filly, although The Fingal Raven also boasts strong credentials at longer odds. William Haggas’s 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 at Goodwood. Cieren Fallon’s mount, recently equipped with cheekpieces for the first time at Pontefract, remains lightly raced and should manage a modest four‑pound increase without difficulty.
Gary and Josh Moore’s Too Soon appears well‑handicapped despite a win at Epsom earlier in the summer. If fully fit after a three‑month break, he could provide a solid ride for the young jockey Warren Fentiman.
Turning to the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap at Goodwood, I am eager to see Welsh trainer Chris Mason’s All Ways Glamorous perform. After a commendable run in the Shergar Cup, the horse may have to settle for a share of the modest prize money, but a respectable finish is likely. My personal selection for this race is David O’Meara’s Toca Madera. The horse ran a strong race in defeat at York last week, then struggled on softer ground four days later.
However, his fifth‑place finish in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood suggests he can handle a competitive field, especially under the guidance of trainer Danny Tudhope. On Saturday at Sandown, I expect Secret Of Life to maintain her unbeaten record in the Group Three BetMGM Atalanta Stakes over two and a half furlongs. Trained by Ralph Beckett, the filly is a daughter of the champion Pinatubo and captured the Listed Coral Distaff on Eclipse Day, indicating she is ready for a step up in class while receiving a weight allowance from older, more seasoned fillies.
Another strong contender is Calendar Girl, who secured a Listed victory on her return at Haydock Park three weeks ago. Like Secret Of Life, she also has an entry in the Group One Sun Chariot Stakes, and trainer Owen Burrows will be hoping she can continue her upward trajectory. Sonic Angel’s wins have all come on all‑weather surfaces, but Simon and Ed Crisford’s colt possesses the pedigree to succeed on turf. He is slated to debut on grass in the Group Three BetMGM Solario Stakes at Sandown.
The horse impressed in his first start at Newcastle, pulling clear of the 90‑rated Siouxperb, and followed up with a solid run under a penalty at Kempton Park this month. Given his promising early performances, the colt’s future looks bright, with entries already secured for the Group Two Champagne Stakes and the Group One Dewhurst. He should be able to match the talent of Godolphin’s rising star Rock Montreal, the winner of the Yarmouth debut.
All of these insights were shared by Hollie Doyle during a conversation with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, providing a comprehensive guide to the Saturday card. Viewers can stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a beat in the fast‑moving world of horse racing.