Goodwood - Sat 23 May 2026
Goodwood Galaxy may have been targeted here and although well beaten at Sandown after trying to make the running, he races off 3lb lower and drops back a furlong. The hat-trick seeking Startled goes from strength to strength but an added 7lb and a rise in class could find him out, and WECHAAD is preferred. Third in the Horris Hill last season, the son of Oasis Dream makes plenty of appeal back in handicap company.
Tom Marquand has picked up the ride on Charlie Appleby's Del Maro and although well beaten in the Chester Vase after a slow start, he could do better here. SAXON STREET arrives unbeaten after comfortable wins at Chelmsford and Epsom and the fact that he remains entered in the Derby suggests the son of Saxon Warrior should go well here. Golden Story was third at Chester and could make the frame once again.
Wondervision saw market support on her debut before finishing third at Ascot and she could be a danger to all. Knock Three Times was second at Nottingham on her racecourse bow and is another who can go close, but a chance is taken on COAT OF RED. The Crisfords' Blue Point filly cost 220,000gns as a yearling and if she lives up to her pedigree, she could prove too good for these.
The easy winner of both starts so far this season, Brilliant Star should prove competitive at this higher level. However, the same comment also applies to EARTH SHOT. The daughter of Time Test returned to the fray with an impressive success in a Newmarket maiden over 1m2f, and William Haggas' Oaks entry looks one to keep on the right side of. Just Call Me Angel arrives fresh from winning the Italian 1000 Guineas, but she faces a more daunting task here under a 5lb penalty, and Inis Mor holds stronger claims at the weights.
St Hilda missed out by only a neck at Lingfield last month and has to be of interest, but LADY MAGU may well reverse that form. Only fifth on that occasion, she was forced to race wide turning for home, but found plenty in the closing stages and Roger Varian's yard has hit top form since. Evening Fades is upped in trip for her return to action with Tom Marquand's presence suggesting she's preferred to stable companion Guesstimate.
Although thwarted in his follow-up bid when runner-up at Newmarket earlier this month, ALIGN THE STARS lost little in defeat. A 2lb rise in the ratings looks fair for the C&D winner and another bold display is forecast. Chilli Queen has proved a model of consistency since switching to Emma Lavelle and she's open to improvement stepping up in trip, while returning duo Spinning Wheel and Finalise add further spice to the mix.
Having overcome a troubled passage to score at Windsor earlier this month, a 4lb higher mark shouldn't prevent another good account from Coyy. That was only the three-year-old's second outing after a wind procedure and there could be more to come, but RILEY ROCKS is a shade more compelling. Dylan Cunha's colt supplemented a triumph at Newcastle when following up on his handicap bow at Southwell in March and debuting on turf shouldn't hamper his hat-trick bid. One And Gone and Angel Numbers are other live threats.
STARTLED did well to win last time overcoming trouble and can complete the hat trick off 7lb higher. He's unbeaten at the trip and has a much better draw today which is vital over this C&D. Top weight Pathein could be the best handicapped in the race judged on his Group form at 2 and a promising reappearance here. The drop in trip may not be ideal but he should be flying home at the finish and can challenge along with Aqua Bear who ran a big race off 1lb higher on his return. He can get involved off a light weight.
SAXON STREET can continue his unbeaten run. He didn't beat much in the Blue Riband Trial last time but that effort still sets a clear standard on ratings and the way he powered through the line suggested this longer trip would deliver more. The leading Derby hope can defeat the experienced Del Maro who placed in the Zetland last year and has proven himself versatile ground wise. Golden Story wasn't disgraced behind the French Derby favourite last time and should appreciate this longer trip. He can fight for the runner up position without threatening the winner.
KNOCK THREE TIMES sets the standard on her runner up effort on debut where she ran green. She's expected to make significant improvement and defeat Wondervision who also placed on debut in a race which has been boosted since. Of the newcomers Coat Of Red makes most appeal for a good yard. She was an expensive purchase and is a half sister to a Group 1 winner.
BRILLIANT STAR can take the step up in class in her stride and complete the hat trick. She hasn't been tested on her last couple of starts and will be tough to catch if ridden positively down in trip. Earth Shot was a similarly decisive winner from the front last time when upped to 10f and can progress again up in class. She can chase the selection home ahead of Inis Mor who was well held in the Guineas last time but can do better back on easier ground stepped back up in trip.
LADY MAGU shaped well when midfield on the AW on debut. She should improve for that initial outing and if taking to the turf can account for Guesstimate who has an experience edge on most of these. Her latest run is one of the best in the line up and she should appreciate this step up in distance so she holds obvious claims. St Hilda left her debut form behind when upped to 10f last time and a repeat of that effort would see her go close again.
Novice winner FINALISE proved her stamina when runner up over C&D last time. She looks on a lenient mark and is fancied to continue her progress making a winning reappearance reversing form with Dancingwithmyself. That rival has held her form in defeat this term and will appreciate this step back up in distance. She can fill the places with Align The Stars who has returned to form this spring and remains very well treated on his old efforts.
It might be worth taking a chance with TIE FIGHTER here off a light weight. He proved consistent without winning at 2 and ran well at a big price on his reappearance on the AW last time. The drop back in trip is a positive and he has been given a potentially lenient mark by the handicapper. The consistent Angel Numbers is feared most with the drying ground in her favour while top weight Riley Rocks is also of interest. He needs to prove his effectiveness on turf and over a trip this sharp but looks well treated on his AW victories.
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