Battaash could break his own course record as Goodwood temperatures soar

Temperatures are nearing 30C on a sunny afternoon at Glorious Goodwood ahead of an outstanding day of action in West Sussex, with the King George Qatar Stakes the showpiece event.

The track was watered last night and the going is currently good to firm on the straight course, and good, good to firm in places on the round track for the eight-race card starting at 1.10.

It has been a hot morning at Goodwood, currently around 29C, and it is forecast to remain hot and sunny throughout the afternoon's action.

Goodwood's Clerk of the Couse Ed Arkell said: "We watered the Round Course last night, putting on six millimetres of water to make up for the 5.4 millimetres we lost yesterday.

"The forecast is for a dry, warm day with a little bit of a breeze. I would be very surprised if we didn't put some water on the Straight Course this evening.

"Today's highlight is the King George Qatar Stakes over five furlongs where we have a very good chance of Battaash breaking his own course record [56.20s] as he seeks to win the race for the fourth time."

Two of Battaash's three wins in the King George have come on this going description, and he remains a steady 1-3 shot to record a historic fourth victory in the race.

In the Unibet Golden Mile (2.45), today's big betting heat, the Richard Hannon-trained top weight Urban Icon has been the subject of some support. The four-year-old has been backed into 11-1 (from 14).

Elsewhere, Final Song has been taken out of the Saint Clair Oak Tree Stakes (1.45). One Master remains a strong favourite for the Group 3 contest.

The going at Galway is described as yielding to soft on the jumps course and soft for the flat track. Racing commences at 4.45.

Friday's meetings

Goodwood
Going: good to firm (straight course); good, good to firm in places
First race: 1.10

Non runners
1.10: 1 The First King (pricked foot)
1.45: 10 Final Song (colic)
3.45: 6 Thundering Blue (going)
4.55: 4 Enoughisgoodenough (going)

Galway
Going: yielding to soft (jumps); soft (flat)
First race: 4.45

Non runners
4.45: 13 Wave Walker (going)
5.15: 19 Shabra's Bertolini (reserve)
5.45: 3 Star Maker (going)

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