Four things for backers to consider before taking the plunge

Three winning favourites yesterday saw punters bounce back from a bookie-friendly first two days of Glorious Goodwood and here are four more things to consider if backers are to continue to thrive.

1. Will Frontiersman lug left again?

There are no doubts over the talent of Frontiersman, who laid waste to a red-hot Newmarket handicap in May and has since been second in the Coronation Cup and Princess of Wales's.

But after he veered left at both Epsom and Newmarket, to the point that he might otherwise have won, questions now have to be answered over his temperament.

He is down in grade again for the Group 3 Betfred Glorious Stakes (1.50). It is not the level of opposition that has been the main problem up to now, so even though the improving Poet's Word and talented Second Step stand against him Frontiersman remains the principal threat to himself.

Charlie Appleby foresees another problem.

"We'll see how much the ground dries out today, as testing ground would be a big concern," he said on Thursday, adding: "I couldn't be happier with how he's prepared for the race though, and if he runs he'd be a worthy market leader."

It is to be hoped the ground continues to dry, and that Goodwood's camber helps straighten out a horse who could yet challenge for Group 1 honours.

2. Is Make Time heading for the big time?

West Sussex trainer David Menuisier has flirted with the fringes in his short career to date, mostly with high-quality handicappers Saunter and Sinfonietta. Make Time could be the horse who brings him out of the shadows.

Make Time has essentially been a relentless improver, if his one poor run in a very warm Greenham is put to one side. His latest win, a six-length success at Sandown from a mark of 91, showed off his trainer's patience as well as the ability of the horse.

With emphatic winning form on soft ground, he looks to have strong claims in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (2.25), a race that should be well worth watching either way with other up-and-comers such as Beat The Bank and Bless Him among the opposition.

David Menuisier could have his breakthrough horse in Make TimeCredit: Edward Whitaker

3. Is Rufus up to the challenge?

The 6f nursery (4.10) is habitually a strong race of its type and, in giving 18lb and more to his 11 rivals, Rufus King is in effect on trial for Group races from a mark of 103.

The Mark Johnston-trained colt had been coming along gradually, including finishing second to stablemate Cardsharp at Beverley, before running away with a similar event to this at Ascot last month.

He has been raised 9lb for that win and faces opposition that includes the progressive Luis Fernandez as well as two further last-time-out winners and six handicap debutants, many from big yards. Beat them off 103 and connections would be forgiven for daring to dream of big days out to come.

4. How weak might the Oak Tree Stakes end up?

John Gosden promised on Thursday morning that Daban was an unlikely runner in the L'Ormarins Queens Plate Oak Tree Stakes (4.40) and came good on the threat before lunchtime. Ashadihan had been pulled out five minutes earlier.

On official ratings, the path looks clear for Mix And Mingle, the Chris Wall-trained filly who shot up the ranks in the spring and has 5lb and more in hand of her remaining rivals on official ratings.

However, she too might not face the starter. Wall said on Thursday morning: "I'd say we're an unlikely runner. If it dried out to good to soft ground we'd consider running, but she's a top-of-the-ground filly really, so tacky, holding ground would not be her bag at all."

If she were to come out, things would become a lot easier for last year’s winner Al Jazi, whose trainer Francois Rohaut also won the race in 2015 and who would, in that case, face just one rival – Tomyris (104) – rated higher than 101.

Jamie Spencer has been booked for Wild Approach, second in a Group 3 on soft at Hamburg last month for Dominik Moser, whose runners in Britain are always worth considering.