Neil Morrice highlights his best bets at the Qatar Goodwood Festival for Day 4
QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL DAY 4 BEST BETS FRIDAY
GOODWOOD
Race 1 No8 BELIEVEITYOUCAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: William Buick
The longest race at the meeting can see BELIEVEITYOUCAN stretching his impressive winning sequence to four and remaining unbeaten this season. The much improved performer is a winner at the trip over hurdles, and following his Northumberland Plate triumph is going to relish stepping up to the distance for the first time on the level. In a good betting race VALIANCY should also get involved as he was doing his best work at the end of the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot after being set plenty to do. He’s attempting the trip for the first time, but races like a horse that wants it. Joseph O’Brien’s DEFIANTLY looked to be coming to hand when beaten a head n first time blinkers in the Ascot Stakes on only a third outing of the year. He’s up 4lb for that but you wouldn’t rule him out of going one better.
Prediction: 1st BELIEVEITYOUCAN, 2nd Defiantly, 3rd Valiancy
Race 2 WORLD POOL THOROUGHBRED STAKES (Group 3)
No6 TALK OF NEW YORK
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
On a first start since his very solid effort to chase home Bow Echo and Gstaad in the 2000 Guineas, TALK OF NEW YORK should take care of business. The Wootton Bassett colt loves the fast underfoot conditions, is racng over his optimum trip and is clear on the ratings. Finding the flip side of the exacta is the main task and for that I prefer SABER STRIKE to SHAYEM. Saber Strike attracted a welter of support before underwhelming in the Jersey Stakes and was again put in his place at York. His home reputation has therefore taken a couple of knocks but if he rolls up meaning business he rates the main danger to the odds on favourite.
Race 3 No17 TRIBAL CHIEF (Each Way)
Trainer: David Menuisier- Jockey: Jamie Spencer
In the betting extravaganza of the day, TRIBAL CHIEF has a fine opportunity to rule. He has the advantage of breaking four off the rail in a contest where it’s important to be drawn low. The field races around a right handed bend and downhill into the home straight. In order the maximise your chance, getting a tow from just behind the leaders is of paramount importance, and Spencer will have options if he can achieve that. His locally trained mount blew the start at Sandown last time but in the circumstances did well to finish just out of the money, while his previous form in two earning runs is certainly strong enough. Menuisier’s horses are coming nicely into form and I fancy the Sioux National gelding to see off a potent foe in BEAGLE BAY. This progressive four-year-old looks for a fourth success from five starts in 2026, but his jockey will need to be alert out of stall 1. Should that not prove an issue he has every chance of adding to his laurels in the colours of Valmont. In a race that often sees roughies in the shake up I will add the 2025 winner RHOSCOLYN even though he failed to menace over 1400 metres here on Wednesday. David O’Meara’s charge is admittedly something of a wild card breaking from stall 21, and two that are more likely to claim cheques are BLUE BROTHER and the ante post favourite INDALO.
Prediction: 1st TRIBAL CHIEF, 2nd Beagle Bay, 3rd Blue Brother, 4th Indalo, 5th Rhoscolyn
Race 4 KING GOERGE QATAR STAKES (Group 2)
No7 RUMSTAR
Trainer: Jonny Portman- Jockey: Ron Hornby
This is not the strongest renewal of the 1000 metres sprint for older horses and gives RUMSTAR an opportunity to provide his trainer with his biggest win of the season. In order to achieve that the six-year-old needs to lay the ghost that in the past has seen him under perform when moving into the Group 2 stratosphere. He arrives on the back of a gritty success in the Group 3 Coral Charge however, and is at least in good form, which many of his foes are not. NIGHT RAIDER needs to bounce back from his recent heavy defeat but will be dangerous if doing so. He finished sixth in this race last season but looks an improved performer based on two earlier season conversions for Karl Burke. JAKAJARO has also moved up a gear in 2026 and possesses the early pace to take them along. He is bankered in all exotics, while at a much bigger price ARGENTINE TANGO needs inclusion.
Prediction: 1st RUMSTAR, 2nd Jakajaro, 3rd Argentine Tango, 4th Night Raider
Race 6 No9 INNICHEN (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
INNICHEN could well be in the perfect slot from stall 1 to complete a hat-trick in this sizzling nursery. The Mehmas colt has worked with aplomb in his preparation after hacking up on handicap debut at Nottingham. He’s taken that in his stride and carries stable confidence to post off an 8lb higher mark. While this is very competitive on paper, I think he’s ahead of his mark and rate him one of the best bets at the meeting. THE DANCING PIRATE is drawn alongside the Nap and might give him something to think about although the Blackbeard colt is a maiden with no experience handicaps. PAPER VIEW represents a stable that’s already had a two-year-old winner at the meeting and in the same colours. His stablemate JAIJAI brings similarly strong form to the table and can also get involved.
Prediction: 1st INNICHEN, 2nd The Dancing Pirate, 3rd Jajjai, 4th Paper View
Race 8 No6 ROOM FOURTEEN
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Ryan Moore
It’s not often that Moore teams up with Fanshawe and the hint should be taken with prolific scorer ROOM FOURTEEN who is in the form of her life. The latest of her three 2026 triumphs at Redcar and Doncaster have been gained with real authority with the Without Parole filly showing she relishes this trip. She’s going to post with all guns blazing, and can prove a bet worth waiting for in the lucky last.
