Neil Morrice best bets and tips – QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL DAY 4 BEST BETS FRIDAY

QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL DAY 4 BEST BETS FRIDAY

Race 1 Coral Goodwood Handicap

No4 KYLE OF LOCHALSH (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

Connections of KYLE OF LOCHALSH will be reluctant to run the entire should conditions remain dry, but if being given the green light the progressive five-year-old can get into the argument. It’s been a long wait since his needed comeback run at Southwell back in April and he’s been scratched from a couple of subsequent engagements. But he’s a horse with scope for improvement in the staying ranks, and definitely one to follow through the late summer and autumn, while there was a stormy forecast for the Chichester area on Thursday. Others that make plenty of appeal for exactas, trifectas and quartets are OXFORM COMMA, who has shown she can operate well when fresh and ALIGN THE STARS, for whom Soumillon is an eye taking jockey booking.

Race 2 BONHAMS THOROUGHBRED STAKES (Group 3)

No3 KING OF CITIES (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Ryan Moore

The betting indicates this is a match between OPERA BALLO and COSMIC YEAR, and while that pair undoubtedly have strong claims there is better value in KING OF CITIES. The Dubawi colt looked to be beaten fair and square by Opera Ballo at Newmarket, but that was on fast ground. He has Ryan Moore doing the steering on this occasion, and should the forecast rain arrive it will be more in his favour than either of his market rivals.

Race 3 Coral Golden Mile

No20 FIFTH COLUMN (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: William Buick

The big betting extravaganza of the day is lacking the unexposed type of milers that could graduate into Group horses but there is a possible exception in the form of FIFTH COLUMN. The three-year-old has with three wins from four starts in 2025 taken his form to a new level and he needs taking seriously. He ran very well from a tricky draw in the Britannia at Ascot and that was followed by a game success in a Class2 at Newmarket in which he displayed the ability to not be fazed by having horses racing close to him. He’s for all the world an unexposed improver who could go places, and from a good slot in the gate I expect him to break smartly and fend off all comers at the business end. Though he’s experienced a relatively quiet season, Ed Dunlop has a genuine contender in top weight SKUKUZA who is trying to chase down a hat-trick. But while he has Ryan Moore on board, his wide position in the gate doesn’t help matters. Charlie Johnston’s ARISAIG is one who needs considering as she looked to be coming to hand with a near miss last time. GREAT CHIEFTAIN scored over this course and distance at the same meeting in 2024 and is another looking to make it three wins on the bounce as a first big race runner for Oliver Cole. GREEK ORDER has performed commendably in a couple of big handicaps and is advantaged by stall two, as well as having Oisin Murphy in the irons.

Prediction: 1st FIFTH COLUMN, 2nd Arisaig, 3rd Greek Order, 4th Skuzuka, 5th Great Chieftain

Race 4 KING GEORGE QATAR STAKES (Group 2)

No9 ASFOORA
Trainer: Henry Dwyer – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

Should she bring her A-game to the table, ASFOORA is the best horse in the field in this sizzling sprint. The former Royal Ascot winner wasn’t in as good form for her run there in the King Charles III Stakes in June but she was a good second to Big Evs in this race 12 months ago and fourth to Bradsell in the Nunthorpe. While he’s been lost in the wilderness it wouldn’t be the greatest shock if KHAADEM raised his game and got into the argument while BIG MOJO is lightning quick and rates the perfect replacement for Big Evs under the Mick Appleby banner. One that could post a major shock is CELANDINE, but for that to happen the ground needs to soften. She’s worth a weather check in case it does.

Race 5 Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes

No6 SOCIALITE
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: William Buick

Hills has been by his standards been a tad quiet for the bulk of the season so far, but he fields a fascinating runner in this 2200 metres contest in the form of SOCIALITE. The Too Darn Hot gelding made all to score impressively on his reappearance at Windsor, and while stretching out on the distance ladder did not appear to be stopping on that occasion. He has the potential to improve past more experienced foes such as LIBERTY LANE, HAUNTED DREAMS and GODWINSON who are all capable of winning this should my assessment of Socialite prove wide of the mark.

Race 6 Hawkes & Curtis Nursery

No1 RISING POWER
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick

As an unbeaten son of Wootton Bassett representing Godolphin, RISING POWER can live up to his name in this hotly contested nursery. He should have learned something from his recent Sandown success, as he had to buckle down and battle for the spoils to repel a well fancied rival. One that could shake him up at a bigger price is GOLDEN BROWN, who upped his game when finishing second at Southwell and has subsequently been gelded. He looks worth saving on.

Race 7 Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap

No11 MIGHTY BOY (Each Way)
Trainer: Brian Meehan – Jockey: Joe Leavy

YABHER will be a go-to horse for many following his triumph over 2000 metres at Sandown as he was staying on strongly up the final hill and appears certain to relish going an extra furlong today. The impeccably-bred SEA OF KINGS is lightly-raced and well drawn for his first run in a handicap in the colours of Wathnan Racing. BULLETIN has a ring of consistency about him and could defy his double figure odds with another frame finish but the one that appeals most is MIGHTY BOY, whose form took a leap forward when he was ridden aggressively at Ascot. He’s gone up 4lb but there might be plenty more under his bonnet in the popular colours of Martin Hughes.