Market movers, buzz and talking points for Galway and Goodwood

After a dry morning conditions have started to dry for day four at Goodwood with the going officially soft and a dry forecast for the remainder of the day.

Clerk of the course Seamus Buckley said: “We had about 1mm of rain overnight but the ground is now soft, rather than soft, heavy in places and it’s pretty level all over. The GoingStick is giving a reading of 6.3 from 5.8 yesterday, which is giving an indication it’s drying out.

“There’s fresh ground on the lower bend and there’s two and a half furlongs of that for the big handicap. It’s set fair for the day and let’s hope that’s the case.”

Despite drying conditions, there have been 22 non-runners at Goodwood since declarations on Wednesday, with Frontiersman arguably the most significant in the opening Group 3 Betfred Glorious Stakes.

Galway rolls on to day five with no let-up in the competitive action, while there are five other meetings to get stuck into on what should be a fantastic Friday.

Going report

Goodwood - first race 1.50

Soft (GoingStick 6.3 at 9am on Friday)

Galway - 5.10pm

Flat course - Soft Jumps course - Yielding to soft

Bangor - 1.30pm

Good (GoingStick 6.9 on Wednesday at 8am)
(Rail movements; Races 1&2 +12yds, R5&6 +10yds R7 +19yds)

Thirsk - 1.40pm

Good to soft (GoingStick 7.4 on Thursday at 4pm)

Newmarket - 5.20pm

Good, good to soft in places (GoingStick 6.9 on Thursday at 2pm)
(Rail movements; R2 & 4 +19y)

Bath - 5.30pm

Good to soft, good in places (GoingStick 7.9 on Wednesday at 7.30am)
(Rail movements; R4, 5 & 6 +5y)

Musselburgh - 5.40pm

Good (GoingStick 7.2 on Friday at 6.15am)

Market movers analysed by David Baxter

Goodwood 3.35 Take Cover 10-1 (from 12, BetVictor)
For the last three years Take Cover's record in the race reads 121, so it's no surprise punters have latched on to the evergreen sprinter.

However trainer David Griffiths has expressed some concern about slower conditions, though the ten-year-old has won on heavy ground in the past.

Goodwood 4.40 Wild Approach 16-1 (from 18)
Some each-way support for this German raider, who has form on a slower surface, having finished second over a mile last time.

Trained by Dominik Moser, Wild Approach is dropping back to seven furlongs, which may suit, and has the assistance of Jamie Spencer, who was on target at the meeting on Thursday.

Galway 5.10 Top Othe Ra 10-1 (from 12)
Broke his maiden over hurdles last time at Ballinrobe and has a solid form profile with several placed efforts in competitive handicaps.

The nine-year-old is also a previous winner at the festival, having taken a bumper in 2013.

What's on today

Hasn’t punting been fun at the Qatar Goodwood festival this week? So, then, why not throw an ultra-competitive handicap into play today in the form of the Betfred Mile? Like Sir Winston Churchill told us – when you’re going through hell, keep going.

There are any number of exciting horses running, ground permitting, elsewhere on the card with the likes of the King George Stakes, the Glorious Stakes and the Thoroughbred Stakes.

We have also reached day five of the Galway festival, for which the €100,000 Guinness Handicap is the feature. Stamina will be to the fore at both courses again.

What to back

Pricewise has found some value in a number of today's contests at Goodwood (Members club), plus you can read guest columnist Jessica Harrington's thoughts on the second day of Galway.

You can also get the thoughts from the team with our Racing Postcast. It is a good watch.

What to read

If you are struggling for inspiration in the Betfred Mile, why not read about how Franklin D helped punters bash the bookies in the race last year.

Following Ryan Moore is normally a good way to succeed as well. He reached 100 Group 1 winners on Winter - and he wants more.

What to watch

Battaash is one of the hotpots today in the King George Stakes. Get the thoughts of his trainer Charlie Hills.

Or, if you would prefer, you can hear from his jockey Jim Crowley.

The best of Racing Post Sport

Football is back, and our experts preview the opening game of the new Championship season between Sunderland and Derby County.

Final thought

Draw, draw, draw, draw, draw, draw, draw. It is all about the draw today. On the round course, and in the Betfred Mile in particular, you are best to stick to those with a low gate.

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news