All the essentials as Nassau Stakes and Galway Hurdle top the bill

As it was yesterday, we have the rare double of a Group 1 Flat race and a top-notch handicap to keep everyone entertained on a mid-summer Thursday.

At Goodwood, the Qatar Nassau Stakes (3.35) headlines in its relatively new Thursday slot, with Lockinge winner Rhododendron, who inflicted a short-head defeat on Lightning Spear in May, out to avenge a poor run at Royal Ascot.

Thursday cards

In the Guinness Galway Hurdle (4.35), Europe's richest handicap hurdle, Willie Mullins holds a bigger hand with the likes of Whiskey Sour and Max Dynamite, but Gordon Elliott is never far away these days and Cartwright looks his best chance of a Plate-Hurdle double after Clarcam's win last night.

The day's schedule is completed by Stratford and Nottingham in the afternoon, followed by Ffos Las and Epsom in the evening.

Going report

Goodwood (first race at: 1.50)
Good, good to firm in places (GoingStick: 7.0 at 8.30am). Rail movements: R1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 +10y.

Stratford (1.30)
Good (GoingStick: 7.1 at 6am). Rail movements: R1 +132y, R2 & 4 +93y, R7 +150y.

Galway (1.40)
Yielding to soft on the jumps course, soft on the Flat.

Nottingham (2.10)
Good (GoingStick: 7.4 at 8.30am). Rail movements: R3, 4 & 5 +12y, R7 +24y.

Ffos Las (5.30)
Good, good to soft in places (GoingStick: 7.3 at 6.40am).

Epsom (5.45)
Good, good to firm in places.

What to back

Maddy Playle is at Goodwood and has three selections for Thursday.

What to read

A popular jumper was in winning action at Goodwood yesterday. Here is the story.

There is also a racing festival on the south coast to get excited about. No, it's next week.

What to watch

Check out What's The Word, our preview for Galway this afternoon.

The best of Racing Post Sport

The golf postcast has landed. Check out our preview of the Bridgestone Invitational.

Final thought

The market for the Nassau looks like a classic case of the but-for-the-last-runs. Not that it invalidates misgivings, but it is hard to escape the feeling that Rhododendron would have been a warm order had it not been for a rare flop in the Queen Anne.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app