Market movers, buzz and talking points for Galway and Goodwood

Following the not-so glorious weather on day two, conditions at Goodwood are very much better as the big meeting reaches day three, the highlight of which is the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes.

It's overcast, and there are one or two spots of rain in the wind, but we are in for a great day's racing, notwithstanding going bordering on the heavy and 20+ non-runners to date, spread across the whole card and including three in the fillies' showpiece - Shutter Speed, Nezwaah and Wuheida.

Assistant clerk of the course Ed Arkell said: "We had 49.2mm in total yesterday, but the course has taken it well. We had 15 or so people out moving rails yesterday evening, and there are about 20 on the course this morning replacing divots. We have fresh ground on the inner up the straight from around three furlongs out, and also on the top bend which will be used in the Nassau.

"It's a shame we have so many non-runners, but it's inevitable, as they declared on good ground. It will be hard work for them, as they are also running into the wind, and we could be unlucky and catch the odd shower again later on, but all in all we are not in bad shape."

Over at Galway the track stages the second of its flagship contests, the Guinness Galway Hurdle, with Willie Mullins, who saddled Plate runner-up Shaneshill yesterday, assembling a four-strong assault on Ireland’s most valuable hurdle race.

Automated and Princely Conn have, however, come out of that, so reserves All The Answers and Morga are in line to run on going described as yielding.

There are also afternoon meetings at Nottingham and Stratford, while evening racing takes place at Epsom and Ffos Las.

Market movers analysed

Diamonds Pour Moi (2.25 Goodwood)
8-1 (from 14) and no surprise punters are latching onto this four-year-old, who has a heavy-ground win in France on her CV.

Cosmopolitan Queen (4.10 Goodwood)
Three non-runners in this so the move to 10-1 (from 33) is not just down to her being fancied. Interesting her dam - the brave Barshiba - seemed better on a sounder surface.

Music Box (3.25 Galway)
A busy campaign is certainly not worrying those interested in this filly who is 4-1 (from 7) for her 13th start of 2017.

Going report

Stratford - first race 1.30
Good (GoingStick 8.1 on at 7.30am on Thursday). Rails moved out on both courses adding the following distances - Race 1 by approx +21yds; Race 2 by approx +27yds; Race 3 by approx +27yds; Race 4 by approx +21yds; Race 5 by approx +30yds; Race 6 by approx +36yds; Race 7 by approx +42yds

Galway - first race 1.40
Flat course - soft; jumps course - yielding.

Goodwood - first race 1.50
Soft, heavy in places (GoingStick 5.8 at 9.30am on Thursday). Lower bend dolled out to the 3f marker. 7f races increased by 15 yards. Fresh ground last 3.5 furlongs in the straight and the top bend

Nottingham - first race 2.10
Soft (GoingStick 5.4 at 8am on Thursday). Outer Track. Rail is set out 4 yards on both bends adding 12 yards to races 3, 4 and 5, and 24 yards to race 7.

Ffos Las - first race 5.35
Heavy (GoingStick 5.1 at 6.30am on Thursday).

Epsom - first race 5.50
Good to soft, soft in places (GoingStick 5.7 at 6am on Thursday). Rail out up to 6 yards from 1m to Winning Post, adding 20 yards to all races of 1m+ and 15 yards to 7f races.

Market movers

Goodwood
2.25 Diamonds Pour Moi 8-1 (from 14)
4.10 Cosmopolitan Queen 10-1 (from 33) *5p Rule 4 deduction

Galway
2.15 Landofhopeandglory 12-1 (from 14)
2.50 Knockmaole Boy 7-2 (from 4)
3.25 Music Box 4-1 (from 7)
4.00 Robin Des Foret 11-2 (from 7)
5.15 Camlann 5-2 (from 3)
6.00 All Good Things 5-1 (from 7)

Key non-runners

Goodwood
1.50 1 Eugenio, Twin Star, 6 Mutarabby, 7 Leader's Legacy, 8 Mukalal
2.25 1 Alyssa, 9 Aljezeera
3.00 5 Grand Koonta, 8 Invincible Army, 10 U S Navy Flag
3.35 2 Nezwaah, 6 Shutter Speed, 9 Wuheida

Galway
4.35 12 Automated, 15 Princely Conn

What's on today

Fields for the final day of Glorious Goodwood on Saturday will become clearer as declarations come in for all races including the weekend's big betting heat, the £250,000 Qatar Stewards' Cup, and the Group 3 Qatar Gordon Stakes.

What to back

Pricewise's Tom Segal flags up some big value for Goodwood and Galway, while Paul Kealy agrees with a double-priced selection as he pinpoints the best bets for the day.

The ground at Goodwood might become an issue for some runners but Charlie Hills has no fears for an exciting contender who was just touched off at the Newmarket July meeting.

What to read

Guest columnist Jessica Harrington runs the rule over her Galway team and nominates a runner she rates as her best chance of the week. Lee Mottershead and Steve Dennis are still probably drying out after braving the elements to take you to the heart of the action on day two of Goodwood.

What to watch

Four fantastic tips in super-fast time for the ITV action at Goodwood are available on RPTV. Below is the Richmond Stakes selection.

The best of Racing Post Sport

The football season kicks off properly at the weekend but there are key matches tonight as Everton face the second leg of their Europa League qualifier andEngland meet Holland in the women's Euro 2017 semi-final. We've got expert advice for both games plus the rest of action.

Final thought

After all the rain that fell at Goodwood yesterday (49.2mm), it will be all about which runners handle the conditions best, even if a dry, windy day is forecast.