Friday’s UK racing tips for the penultimate day of the 2023 Glorious Goodwood Festival.
Race 1 – CALLING THE WIND 6/1
Northumberland Plate winner CALLING THE WIND may outclass his rivals in the Coral Goodwood Handicap.
Richard Hughes’ stayer won this race two years ago, albeit off a much lower mark. However, he appears to be in the form of his life.
Second in the Ascot Stakes, he finally bagged the big prize he deserved at Newcastle and this race does not look as tough, despite a 4lb rise.
Race 2 – NOSTRUM 4/7
The exciting NOSTRUM has to be the pick in the Group Three Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes.
Sir Michael Stoute’s three-year-old finished third to Chaldean in the Dewhurst last season, but missed the Classics with a minor setback.
Stoute probably was not that bothered in any case with the future in mind and when we finally did get to see Nostrum at the July meeting he appeared to have thrived for the extra time, winning what looked a good race by three lengths.
Well clear on the official ratings, there will be some long faces at Freemason Lodge if he is beaten.
Race 4 – HIGHFIELD PRINCESS 4/6
HIGHFIELD PRINCESS has run with great credit in defeat so far this season and looks impossible to oppose in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.
John Quinn’s superstar was undoubtedly the best in her division last season, winning the Duke of York over six furlongs, the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half and dropping down to five to win the Nunthorpe and the Flying Five in Ireland. She even ran a big race at the Breeders’ Cup, beaten just over a length.
She was just touched off on her comeback at York this year and then attempted an ambitious double at Royal Ascot in the King’s Stand and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, placing in both and not beaten far, either.
Goodwood’s five furlongs is one of the quickest in the country, arguably just behind Epsom, but as she is seemingly getting quicker with age that is no worry and she handles any ground. With no Group One penalty to carry, it will be disappointing if she does not get her head in front this time.
