Goodwood - Fri 22 May 2026
NIGHT IN VEGAS made a strong impression when scoring on his introduction at Ascot earlier in the month, shaping as if there would be plenty more to come. Eve Johnson Houghton's colt is bred for speed and can take a step forward to remain unbeaten. Shadow King improved on his debut fifth at Newmarket to strike at Kempton and has to be considered for the Richard Hannon team. Windsor victor Love Is can't be ruled out either.
Magic Effort sprung a 20/1 surprise to strike at the first time of asking at Newmarket last month and is likely to have lots more to offer. Blushrose changed hands for 105,000 pounds last month and needs to be monitored in the market, but LAZURITE gets the nod. Richard Hughes' filly shaped with lots of promise when hitting the woodwork at Newmarket at the start of the month and can find the improvement required to go one better.
Give It To Me Oj recorded a double when last seen on the Flat at Epsom in September and has to be respected on his return to this sphere. St Mawes finished a creditable third over C&D at the start of the month and is noted, but it's BAHADUR who makes the most appeal. The son of Make Believe was far from disgraced in fifth in a warmer event at Newmarket and may improve for this step up in distance.
Four-year-olds have won five of the last seven runnings of this contest, and with SIBLING RIVELRY carrying a 5lb penalty but due to go up 6lb for future races, she has an obvious chance after winning at Windsor. Venetia intrigues as a lightly-raced three-year-old who made all to win at Ascot over 1m2f, and she could be a danger to all with her age allowance, while the consistent Orionis and Quebella are others to consider.
Boiling Point has raced in Group 3 company on both starts this season, including a third to Damysus at Newmarket in the Earl Of Sefton last month, and he can make a bold attempt to hold off all challengers. However, stable companion ICE MAX was a length and a half third to Derby winner Lambourn in the Huxley Stakes recently and a repeat of that may be all he needs to score here. Haatem is another to consider.
Philanthropist has to be respected following his win over 7f at Yarmouth a month ago, but a 3lb rise demands more from him here. As a result, preference is for MISTER BLUEBIRD, who was only beaten a short-head when second at Musselburgh last time and makes plenty of appeal off 1lb higher. Walson's Law showed plenty on his return at Ascot recently and is another with strong form claims.
SEVEN QUESTIONS put in a promising display when fourth in a competitive contest at Chester a couple of weeks ago and Robert Cowell's gelding merits plenty of respect off a 2lb lower mark on this occasion. Dream Composer beat the selection at Ripon last month and is an obvious threat once again, while Nogo's Dream and Star Chorus are the pick of the remainder.
Night In Vegas sets the standard after beating some well touted types on debut at Ascot in cosy fashion. However he may struggle to give weight to Love Is who looks a talented filly. She was green and outpaced early on debut but flew home for a surprise victory from which she ought to have learnt plenty. Her dam is by Pivotal so the soft ground shouldn't be an issue and she can make her light weight tell. Shadow King didn't beat all that much on the AW last time and will need to improve to figure here.
Magic Effort sets the standard having overcome greenness to make a winning debut. That form has been franked so she is respected under a penalty but narrow preference is for LAZURITE whose debut runner up effort has also been boosted. If building on that she will be tough to beat getting weight from her main rival. Pershaada was turned over at short odds last time but still ran well and has an experience edge. She should also be on the premises.
Give It To Me Oj is the class angle in the race as top weight suggests. The dual purpose performer is seeking a hat trick in this sphere and still has mileage in his mark judged on his hurdles form. He's completely unexposed over staying trips but may just need this on his Flat return. ST MAWES was a touch unlucky here on his first run of the year flying home against a pace bias but can gain some compensation off just 1lb higher. He's the least exposed in the field and is chosen to continue his progression at the expense of veteran Sax Appeal who has dropped to just 1lb above his last winning mark despite running into form.
The lightly raced VENETIA can take advantage of bottom weight here. She made a winning handicap debut when upped to 10f last time and her breeding hints that this longer trip combined with easier ground will deliver more. The form of that race looks strong so a 4lb rise is lenient and she can defeat the hugely progressive Sibling Rivelry who should come on for her reappearance win but needs to prove her ability on softer ground. Caramay was poorly placed against a pace bias last time and is likely to be running on at the finish. She could gain the final place.
ICE MAX can defy the penalty he gained by taking the Robin Hood Stakes last year. The former Group winner returned to his best form at the end of last term and ran well behind last year's Derby winner in the Huxley last time. With the easy ground in his favour he is chosen ahead of the returning pair Enfjaar and Haatem. The former is a strong traveller who landed the 2024 John Smith's Cup and had an issue when disappointing when last seen. The latter landed the 2024 Jersey and proved his stamina for this trip when taking the Wolferton at the same meeting last year. If he is fit and ready to go after an absence he looks the main danger.
CRIMSON SPIRIT was unable to get competitive from a poor draw at a sharp track but he has a much better stalls position here so could bounce back. Prior to that effort he placed off 1lb higher in a strong contest which has been boosted so he is clearly feasibly treated. Behind him that day at Newmarket was The Dragon King who has slipped to a very attractive mark based on his 2yo efforts. He's been steadily running into form of late with his last run worth marking up as he was poorly placed in a race dominated from the front. He may provide the main challenge along with the steadily progressive Kisskodi who isn't fully exposed at 7f.
SEVEN QUESTIONS hasn't won in a while but that last victory came in a Group contest so he is now looking extremely well handicapped. He has gone off too quickly on his last couple of outings but he proved he could be competitive off similar marks on his reappearance and bar the top weight he doesn't have competition for the lead here. He can defeat fellow veteran Dream Composer who snapped a long losing run last time and remains very well treated on his best form. He has an excellent course record so is feared along with Dyonisos who is well treated on his pair of French victories last summer on easy ground.
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