Glorious Goodwood day four: Betting odds and race rundown
The standout race of the day comes in the Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes as the fast-improving Opera Ballo goes in search of his first Group success.
Win singles and each way bets from the best horse racing betting sites:
1:20 Coral Goodwood Handicap (3yo+ 0-105) - 2m4½f
A stamina zapping opener day four of Glorious Goodwood, and only the brave will be seen at the finish here. Gordon Elliott sends over Modor, who has been installed as the current favourite. He comes here on the back of a staying on tenth just over two miles at the Curragh.
He shapes as if this new distance will be well within range and is sure to be popular with punters. Align The Stars wasn't beaten far over a similar distance at Royal Ascot, and this course winner looks set to go close under Christophe Soumillon. The one who looks ready for another go at this trip is AGGAGIO.
He finished sixth in the 2023 running of this race, and comes here in a rich vein of form off a two-pound lower mark. His last two runs have been at Goodwood with a close third and a win to his name. He's a regular at this course and runs it very well. Ashley Lewis gets a great turn out of him and looks set for a bold showing.
2024 Winner: Master Milliner J: Charles Bishop T: Emma Lavelle Odds: 25/1
Our pick: AGGAGIO
1:55 Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (3yo) - 1m
Cosmic Year was a shade disappointing when sent as the favourite for a French Group 1 on his latest start. After travelling strongly, he failed to pick up and faded into seventh. If he can leave that run behind and replicate the second-place finish behind Field Of Gold in the Irish 2000 Guineas, then he has an obvious chance.
However, the fast-improving and quirky OPERA BALLO has looked a horse on the rapid rise after two faultless wins at listed level. This marks a step up in grade, but given how impressive the son of Ghaiyyath has been in his last two starts, he should take all the beating here. Seagulls Eleven bounced back to form behind the selection last time out, and he can be the one to follow him home again.
2024 Winner: Lead Artist J: Kieran Shoemark T: John Gosden Odds: 9/2
Our pick: OPERA BALLO
2:30 Coral Golden Mile Heritage Handicap (3yo+) - 1m
The old boy, Dutch Decoy, has rediscovered his form in his last two starts, and if he gets to run, then he is hard to leave out of the equation in his current mood. Grey Chieftain and recent Curragh listed winner Skukuza are sure to be popular here, but it's questionable whether the layout of Goodwood will suit the the Ed Dunlop-trained colt.
He's not easily taken on, TRIBAL CHIEF, who was an unlucky ninth when getting no luck in running at Newcastle, has promised to have a race like this in him. This four-time winner lost all chance at he start of his seasonal return when missing the break, but showed a great attitude to run on to grab second place. That run can be markedly marked up, and you can also forgive him his run in France when the step up to one mile two furlongs didn't suit.
He is going to be stone last at one point in this, but with the promise of plenty of pace on, the David Menuisier gelding can swoop wide and late under Christophe Soumillion to put it up to the principles. Bopeadro, Two Tempting, and Blue For You can outrun their huge odds.
2024 Winner: Toimy Son J: Ryan Moore T: Aidan O'Brien Odds: 4/5Fav
Our pick: TRIBAL CHIEF
3:05 Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes (3yo+) - 5f
Favourites have a good record in this race with the SP favourite winning five of the last seven renewals. This year, the Australian sprinter Asfoora sits as the clear favourite after just failing in her attempt to win back-to-back renewals of the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes. Forst At Dawn, who was in front of her at Royal Ascot, is nearly five times the price, which leaves the Australian sprinter looking very short in the betting.
Town And Country is a fascinating runner after she did everything wrong and still won a Sandown listed race. She can take another big step forward here, and with the endless pace on show, this may be the first race where she gets a pace that will help her settle. Trained by top national hunt trainer Henry de Bromhead, this lightly raced filly can go well at big odds.
However, the one who looks worth siding with is the course and distance winner, BIG MOJO. This top sprinter has been improving with each run this season, and he was very unlucky not to get even closer at Royal Ascot after not getting a clear run at a vital stage of the race. He comes here on the back of an agonizing miss in the Group 1 July Cup, and this course and distance will looks set for another big performance for last season's winning connections.
Our pick: BIG MOJO
3:45 Buccellati Handicap (3yo 0-95)
The minefields that are five-furlong sprints at Goodwood are up next. Ruby's Profit is well suited to this course and distance winner will have her chance should the ground not ease too much. The Man made a perfect start to the season when winning going away at York in May.
That was on the back of being gelded and wind surgery, so there is promise of more to come despite an eight-pound rise in the weights. Nad Alshiba Green, Marthy Hopkirk, Brosay, and Dan Tucker are just a few of many who have live each way chances here. However, the progressive GETREADYTORUMBLE is given an opportunity to get back to winning ways here.
This course and distance winner has his hat-trick bid succumbed when finishing third in a strong Sandown handicap, and did himself no favours when doing his best hurdling impression when jumping the crossing at the furlong pole. That lost him valuable momentum, but given how easily he won over course and distance last month, he can win off his current mark.
2024 Winner: Big Evs J: Tom Marquand T: Michael Appleby Odds: 13/8Fav
Our pick: GETREADYTORUMBLE
3:45 Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Stakes (4yo+) - 1m1f
Liberty Lane was a winner at this course over a slightly shorter distance in May before going on to finish twelfth at Royal Ascot. He wasn't beaten far on the day, and comes here with a lot to like. Godwinson is another with course-winning form, and comes in here at the peak of his powers after back-to-back wins in the Lincoln and a 0-105 handicap at Newcastle.
He looks to have a lot more to come and will have a big say in the outcome here. However, siding with SOCIALITE can pay off. The Charlie Hills runner returned from 297 days on the sideline and had a gelding operation in between to win well at Windsor. The second Native Warrior has gone on to win on his next start and run here on Wednesday.
Socialite has gotten away with a five-pound rise in the weights, and with natural improvement from his first run of the season, he may be able to dictate the pace on the front end and lead them from start to finish.
Our pick: SOCIALITE
4:20 Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap (2yo) - 6f
The unbeaten Rising Power could have more to offer off this mark, given that he has been winning by narrow margins. Tacitly versatile, the son of Wootton Bassett will be well supported here. However, another chance is given to OLD IS GOLD. After an impressive win over Naval Light at Beverly, the son of Mehmas was snapped up by Wathnan Racing and then sent off as the favourite for the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, and even though he could only manage an eighth-place finish, he ran a race full of promise.
Today's step up to six furlongs looks the right call, and should he show more improvement over this distance, the Andrew Balding runner could prove the one that they all have to beat. Shaman Champion has been steadily improving and can have a say here as well.
Our pick: OLD IS GOLD
4:55 Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap (3yo 0-90) - 1m3f
Munsif lost his unbeaten run at York and has been gelded on the back of that defeat. The winner, Dante's Lad, has franked the form by following up with another win. He gets in here of the same mark, and if the gelding operation has the desired effect, then there should be more progress to come from Munsif. Mdawi was second to Omini Man here on Wednesday, and should he be given the go-ahead to take his chance, then that form would give him a massive chance.
The one who looks value at his current odds is PUSH THE LIMIT. The Ralph Beckett-trained son of La Havre comes here on the back of a second to The King's Falcon, whom he beat on his debut. However, the Kings improved significantly for that outing and were seen behind the talented Jackknife at Epsom. That form has a good look to it, and now coming here on the back of a 64-day break, he can find the required improvement to have a major say in the finish.
2024 Winner: Assaliant J: Oisin Murphy T: John Gosden Odds: 16/5
Our pick: PUSH THE LIMIT
🕔 Qatar Goodwood day four schedule
TIME RACE DISTANCE
1:20 Coral Goodwood Handicap 2m4½f
1:55 Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes 1m
2:30 Coral Golden Mile Heritage Handicap 1m
3:05 Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes 5f
3:45 Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes 1m1f
4:20 Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap 6f
4:55 Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap 1m3f
📺 How to watch day four of the Qatar Goodwood Festival
Location: Goodwood, United Kingdom
Date/Time: Friday, 1st August 2025. First Race 1:20
TV/Streaming: ITV & Racing TV
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