Jockeys, trainers, draw and rail alignment: how to make it pay at Goodwood

School's out for the summer and the first week of the holidays was always the best when I was a child because it meant a trip to the stunning South Downs for a week at Glorious Goodwood.

The name might have changed to the Qatar Goodwood Festival but it'll always be glorious when the sun shines, and forget all the talk about bumper cars and trouble in running. This meeting is a jewel in British racing's crown and far from the lottery some make it out to be.

Five days at Goodwood, with races over trips ranging from five furlongs to two and a half miles, provide a stern test for every punter, but it's also an excellent opportunity to find value. Big fields are commonplace, particularly in the handicaps, which are often run at a true pace.