Tricky draws and ground concerns for leading fancies to overcome

Qatar Lennox Stakes (Group 2) | 7f | 3yo + | RUK, ITV

Has the draw damaged Librisa Breeze's chance?

Being drawn in stall 14 of 15 will have not have been high on trainer Dean Ivory's wishlist for Librisa Breeze.

A lower draw is often considered advantageous around Goodwood's tight turns, particularly over seven furlongs, and with waiting tactics employed on Librisa Breeze there is a high chance of the talented grey meeting trouble in-running.

How could the ground change things?

The British summer isn't always kind to us at the best of times, but it has taken a particular disliking to Limato.

Since returning from Dubai, where he ran no race on soft ground, Limato has been placed in the Diamond Jubilee and July Cup. Both races were on a good to firm surface.

After walking the track on Tuesday, Henry Candy and owner Paul Jacobs made the decision to let Limato take his chance, and a repetition of his best form would make him hard to beat.

Good to firm ground has also sparked an improvement from Spirit Of Valor, something in keeping with progeny of his sire War Front. While he has form on yielding and soft ground, it is at a lower level.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: "Spirit Of Valor ran very well at Royal Ascot before winning at the Curragh last time. He's been in good form since and we're happy with him."

Can Godolphin strike again?

Dutch Connection held off Home Of The Brave in a one-two for Sheikh Mohammed's operation last year, following on from Toormore's success 12 months earlier in Godolphin blue.

Dutch Connection and Home Of The Brave, who looks as good as ever this year, are back again, while Charlie Appleby saddles Jungle Cat and Saeed Bin Suroor runs Dream Castle to complete a quartet for Godolphin, who enjoyed such a successful Royal Ascot in June.

What they say

Martyn Meade, trainer of Aclaim
This seems to be his trip. He’s in good form and has a good draw, so that’s a big help to his chances. He goes well fresh and I hope he can maintain his good form at seven furlongs.

David Simcock, trainer of Breton Rock
Breton Rock is training well and is what he is. He can run to a level but it might not be good enough to win this. He’ll try his best and we’ll see what we can pick up.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Dutch Connection and Jallota
Dutch Connection was disappointing in Ireland, but they went no gallop and he was caught on the outside. He loves Goodwood, having won twice at the course including this race last year, and I am hoping he can bounce back to his best. The ground’s ideal for Jallota but he’s not got the best draw. This is the right trip for him to run a good race.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Home Of The Brave
I think he might be better than ever this year, his win in the Criterion Stakes last time would be close to a career-best. He handles most ground except for the extremely soft, acts around Goodwood and I'm delighted to have James Doyle back from his whip ban as he's been a great part of his success.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Jungle Cat
It is great that Jungle Cat got his head back in front on his last start, which will have helped his confidence. He has had three nice runs over seven furlongs and comes into this race in good order. If he puts his best foot forward, he will be thereabouts for the places.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Oh This Is Us
I have given him a little break as he had been kept busy since Dubai. He appears in good order at home and he does run well fresh. The favourite will take plenty of beating but we know that he likes the track and he should run well again.

David O’Meara, trainer of So Beloved and Suedois
So Beloved ran very well behind Spirit Of Valor in Ireland so comes into the race in good form. Suedois has run his best races over seven furlongs and was third to Limato in the Prix de la Foret over the trip last year. The trip will be just what he wants.

Ed Walker, trainer of Stormy Antarctic
The draw’s not ideal and he’s not had a lot of the luck you need in these big races. The ground is ideal and he’s in cracking form, and he ran a cracking race in Ireland when they went slow. I’m hoping for a truly run race to bring out the best in him.

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Dream Castle
I am pleased with Dream Castle, who is in good form. He has worked well on the Limekilns gallops coming into this race. I don’t think the good to soft going will cause him problems. I was happy with his last two runs and am hoping for another good performance.