PartialLogo
News

One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch at Glorious Goodwood

Trainer

Charlie Hills is preparing for a potentially history making week at Glorious Goodwood with stable star Battaash going for a remarkable fifth consecutive victory in the King George Qatar Stakes (3.35) on Friday.

That will be no easy feat with new challengers Dragon Symbol and Winter Power in the line-up but a big crowd is set to be on course to see Battaash and if he were to win the track's managing director expects the "roof to come off".

Elsewhere, the trainer's leading future stars are in action in West Sussex including Summer Mile winner Tilsit, who looks for a Group 1 breakthrough in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (3.35) on Wednesday.

Tilsit: up to Group 1 level on Wednesday
Tilsit: up to Group 1 level on WednesdayCredit: Charlie Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Thoroughbred Stakes runner Mutasaabeq and Orazio, who heads to the Richmond on Thursday, are other interesting names, while Dark Shift looks the leading chance of four entered in the Stewards' Cup (3.40). Hills has won Saturday's venerable sprint handicap twice in the last six years.

Jockey

William Buick is most certainly the man of the moment after Adayar's King George win completed a memorable Saturday treble, and he may not have to wait long for another Group-race winner.

On Tuesday he has two live chances, firstly with Godolphin's Space Blues in the Unibet Lennox Stakes (3.00) before getting the leg up on Spanish Mission, who looks to build on his Gold Cup third in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (3.35).

Spanish Mission: taking on Stradivarius at Goodwood
Spanish Mission: taking on Stradivarius at GoodwoodCredit: Edward Whitaker

Buick goes to Sandown on Wednesday but is back with a quality book on Thursday, headlined by likely Qatar Nassau Stakes favourite Audarya (3.35). Yibir in the Gordon Stakes (3.00) is another one to note.

Further ahead, he partners Perotto as he looks to complete the Royal Ascot-Glorious Goodwood double on Friday and French-trained sprinter Suesa, who was sent off 9-4 when disappointing in the Commonwealth Cup. He takes on Battaash and co in the King George Qatar Stakes.

Horse

The overriding impression Poetic Flare made at Royal Ascot was one of a future star and he looks to back that up against some top-class milers in Wednesday's Qatar Sussex Stakes (3.35).

Jim Bolger's runner won the 2,000 Guineas at the start of the season before posting good efforts in the French and Irish equivalents, but his four-and-a-quarter length success in the St James's Palace Stakes was a career-best performance and the reason why his odds are so slim.

Poetic Flare: Jim Bolger's homebred son of Dawn Approach lands the St James's Palace Stakes
Poetic Flare: seeking a sixth win from nine runsCredit: Edward Whitaker

A mouthwatering clash with Palace Pier was put on hold after he suffered a setback but Poetic Flare has a stiff enough assignment with Alcohol Free, Snow Lantern and Tilsit in the line-up.

Race

Stradivarius burst on to the staying division scene when dethroning Gold Cup hero Big Orange in the Goodwood Cup in 2017 and he has been the dominant force in this race since. He goes for a fifth win in an absolute must-watch contest on Tuesday (3.35).

He was only fourth in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last time, having suffered significant interference, and the seven-year-old looks to regain the winning thread against a quality field.

Significant rainfall over the weekend has seen support come for Trueshan, who was a seven-and-a-half length winner on soft ground on Champions Day.

Ascot hero Subjectivist has suffered an injury so Mark Johnston instead relies on his close relative Sir Ron Priestley, who has plundered two Group 2 prizes already this season. Santiago, Serpentine and Spanish Mission are other eyecatching runners.


If you want more on Glorious Goodwood . . .

Snow Lantern declared for Sussex Stakes showdown with Poetic Flare

Glorious Goodwood could start on soft ground as support comes for Trueshan

Goodwood expecting bumper crowds for meeting as downpours soften ground

Who do the bookmakers fear at Glorious Goodwood and Galway?

Glorious Goodwood 2021: essential information for the Flat racing showpiece


Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here


James StevensWest Country correspondent

Published on 26 July 2021inNews

Last updated 14:04, 26 July 2021

iconCopy