Neil Morrice highlights his best bets at the Qatar Goodwood Festival for Day 5
QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL DAY 5 BEST BETS SATURDAY
GOODWOOD
Race 2 CORAL GLORIOUS STAKES (Group 3)
No1 AL AASY (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
History can repeat itself in an intriguing opener with AL AASY making it a third triumph in this race in as many years. The now veteran came home unchallenged in the 2025 running to emphasise how effective he is on these undulations, while a recent win at Beverley has boosted his confidence levels. Marquand needs to employ the patience of Job before letting his mount have his head as close to the finish as possible. The chief threat to the Nap lies with the progressive four-year-old OPPORTUNITY who is very lightly raced and put in a career best to take out the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Ascot by a wide margin.
Race 3 QATAR LILLIE LANGTRY STAKES (Group 2)
No3 DANIELLE
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: William Buick
In one of the best races of the day DANIELLE can consolidate her position as one of the best staying mares in training. The Cracksman mare is a credit to her connections and on the cusp of completing a high profile hat-trick following a success in the Brontë Cup (Group 3) at York. The chestnut has enjoyed a freshening break since that triumph and just needs to show she can produce her best on ground that will be faster than she’s used to. If she achieves that she can mix it with the best of these, with last year’s winner WAARDAH looming as a big danger. The Owen Burrows-trained filly was too strong for Danielle on that occasion but the fact that she’s only had one outing this season indicates she’s endured some training issues. That said, it was a very good effort to chase home the top class Estrange in the Lester Piggott Stakes at Carlisle, and that form has worked out. AMELIA EARHART wears cheek pieces on her return from an underwhelming effort when she started favourite for the Oaks. She could bounce back but perhaps Sir Mark Prescott’s CONSENT could be more of a threat to the ‘big two’.
Prediction: 1st DANIELLE, 2nd Waardah, 3rd Consent
Race 4 CORAL STEWARDS’ CUP HANDICAP
No23 FERROUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
A centre field draw gives a jockey options and I hope that will work in favour of FERROUS when he breaks from stall 12 in this sizzling sprint handicap. The grey has formed a good partnership with Rodriguez including defeat by a paper thin margin at Hamilton last time. Granted that some of this horse’s form has been in Listed company he makes abundant appeal from his mark, while a strongly run 1200 metres suits him best. He’s going to get that, and granted luck in running should be in the shake-up. At the top of the weights SOLDIER’S TREE and DUBAI BLING are a couple that interest me. The first named rarely misses the podium and has an aspiring apprentice taking 5lb off his back. DUBAI BLING returned to winning ways on his latest start at Ascot and William Buick’s booking takes the eye on the fast ground specialist, who has also scored in Bahrain this year. The 2025 winner TWO TRIBES has been laid out for a repeat, but while looking like a return to form is imminent with his good run in defeat in the International Stakes at Ascot he is 7lb higher now. Of the northern based sprinters DARK THIRTY can prove the pick, as he is weighted to beat his Curragh conqueror SONDAD.
Prediction: 1st FERROUS, 2nd Dark Thirty, 3rd Two Tribes, 4th Soldier’s Tree, 5th Dubai Bling, 6th Sondad
Race 6 No1 AL WATHBA
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
As his debut run when second at Newmarket has been given a couple of notable boosts it’s hard to look past Godolphin’s AL WATHBA in this maiden over 1400 metres. The son of Wootton Bassett was narrowly beaten by Haffner, who himself ran well in defeat in the Vintage Stakes here earlier in the week, while the third home is a subsequent winner. There’s a strong Irish representation via Aidan O’Brien’s SPEAKERS CORNER and Joseph O’Brien’s LEADLIGHT but they will have to be smart to get past my selection.
Race 7 No12 CREST OF FIRE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
This looks a good race to bet in and I shall have a go on CREST OF FIRE, who failed by the width of a well smoked cigarette to get up at Ascot and has every chance of going one better as long as he enjoys the rub of the green. He had little chance from a poor draw on a previous run at Royal Ascot but rarely misses out on a cheque. If. he runs as well as he’s been working since his last run he will be involved. POINT OF CONTACT is one to have a saver on and can land a decent prize this summer. Even though running disappointingly at Sandown last time, with Oisin Murphy aboard he could easily bounce back. BLUE COURVOISIER is another that disappointed as Ascot but it’s dangerous to leave out.
Prediction: 1st CREST OF FIRE, 2nd Point Of Contact, 3rd Blue Courvoisier
