Murphy monitoring Goodwood going for Nassau hope Cercene
The Andrew Balding-trained See The Fire is next in the betting at 7-4, having finished third against the boys in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Joe Murphy's Cercene ran out a surprise winner of the Coronation Stakes over a mile.
33/1! CERCENE WINS THE CORONATION STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/cba83YNxWV
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025
With connections of the latter subsequently deciding against stepping up to a mile and a half for the Irish Oaks, she is set to run over the intermediate distance on the Sussex Downs, with Coral making her an 8-1 shot, but Murphy is keeping an eye on underfoot conditions.
'The plan is to go for the Nassau, ground permitting – we don't want any rain,' he said on Friday.
'We're very happy with the filly, but if there's any soft in the ground I couldn't see her going. Good/good to firm would suit us perfect.
'We thought going the mile and a quarter would be better for future reference, rather than going straight to a mile and a half (in the Irish Oaks). We've no problems with a mile and a half as she's a very relaxed filly, but she travels well.'
On handling the undulations of Goodwood, Murphy added: 'She's a very well balanced filly and we don't envisage any problems with it, but you don't know until you try.
'There's only one Nassau, it's a good race and they're the races you want to win.'
Whirl is one of two potential runners for O'Brien along with French Oaks runner-up Bedtime Story, with Karl Burke's Fallen Angel, John and Thady Gosden's Running Lion and Gavin Hernon's potential French raider Dare To Dream the other hopefuls.
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Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He's improving rapidly and looks a superstar' – Templegate's 10-3 Goodwood day three NAP
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday's action from Glorious Goodwood confident of making it a day to remember. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up COPPULL (1.55 Goodwood, nap) He can hit the target for Clive Cox. His debut win at Leicester has worked out superbly and he ran a stormer in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, finishing third at 66-1 in that Group 2. He's improving fast and the step back into calmer waters could be just what he needs with this sharp 6f looking ideal. WHIRL (3.05 Goodwood, nb) She's a progressive filly who made light work of the Musidora at York in May before finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom, before gaining deserved Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly last time. That Curragh form looks rock solid with the runner-up boosting it since and this trip looks ideal. MERCHANT (2.30 Goodwood, treble) He can sell his rivals down the river. The William Haggas colt has looked a Group performer in waiting since being upped to this trip and his Royal Ascot handicap win -where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up - screamed quality. He's still improving, travels strongly and sees the trip out powerfully. Templegate's TV verdicts GOODWOOD 1.20 BEST SECRET is fancied to land this hot handicap after a cracking third in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot, where he finished powerfully from off the pace. He's up 5lb for that effort but was clear of the rest and looks the type to keep improving over this trip. A strongly run race on decent ground should suit perfectly and he sets the standard. Main danger could be High Degree, who made all in a Ffos Las maiden and now tackles 1m2f for the first time. His pedigree screams stamina and trainer William Haggas won this race 12 months ago. He's unexposed, goes forward, and is open to loads of progress. Calla Lagoon is another improver worth noting. He shaped well in a Listed contest at Chester on comeback and looks just the type to take off now handicapping over a longer trip. Parole d'Oro and Seagolazo both finished strongly at Newmarket last time and are bred to stay. They have place potential. 1.55 COPPULL can hit the target for Clive Cox. His debut win at Leicester has worked out superbly and he ran a stormer in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, finishing third at 66-1 in that Group 2. He's improving fast and the step back into calmer waters could be just what he needs with this sharp 6f looking ideal. Havana Hurricane sets the standard after winning the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and went mighty close in the Super Sprint last time despite not getting the clearest run. He's tough and classy but most of his best work has come at 5f, so the extra furlong on drying ground could ask a question. Azizam also ran a cracker at the Royal meeting, finishing third behind Havana Hurricane despite being drawn away from the action. That was only his second start and the move up to 6f looks ideal. He's a big player again. Maximized beat Havana Hurricane at Epsom and has claims if bouncing back from a poor run in the July Stakes, while Puerto Rico was second in a Curragh Group 2 and isn't written off. 2.30 MERCHANT can sell his rivals down the river. William Haggas' colt has looked a Group performer in waiting since being upped to this trip and his Royal Ascot handicap win — where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up — screamed quality. He's still improving, travels strongly and sees the trip out powerfully. There's a lot more to come. Rahiebb gave Merchant weight when close behind him at York and again caught the eye in the Queen's Vase when third over 1m6f at Ascot. Now at level weights and back to 1m4f he should be bang there. Ballydoyle hope Galveston has looked sharper since blinkers went on, making all at Naas before a decent front-running show when third in the King Edward VII. He'll likely try similar tactics again and could prove hard to pass if allowed a soft lead. Wimbledon Hawkeye pushed older rivals close last time in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes, while Sir Dinadan ran above expectations in the Irish Derby but may have been flattered by that result. Windlord got his head back in front at Sandown but may find this too warm, and Too Soon has it all to prove on current form after a beating in handicap company last time out. 3.05 GIVE it a WHIRL in the £600,000 Nassau Stakes. She was a good second in the Oaks and showed her Group 1 class when winning the Pretty Polly at The Curragh. This trip is ideal and there's more to come. This will take some winning though with See The Fire and Cercene live rivals. Here's my guide to the field, where I rate each horse one (worst) to five (best): BEDTIME STORY 3 FAIRY Story. This son of Frankel was a smart juvenile who landed Group 2 and Group 3 wins on fast ground last year and bounced back with a cracking second in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. Ground no issue here and 1m2f suits well. Needs more again in this deeper Group 1 and Ryan Moore prefers Whirl, which is a notable pointer. But she's clearly talented, in-form and still improving. Not dismissed lightly and could hit the frame with another career best. CERCENE 4 CENE and heard. Irish 1,000 Guineas third who caused a 33-1 shock in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, staying on powerfully to land that Group 1 in style. Faces her toughest test yet here over a new trip but she's bred to stay 1m2f being by Australia, and her finishing effort last time suggests she'll relish it. Progressive, tough and clearly thriving, she may just be underestimated again. Not out of this by any means. RUNNING LION 1 LION tamed. Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot last summer and went close in the Prix de l'Opera on Arc weekend but hasn't quite hit those heights this season. Solid fourth in the Duke of Cambridge last month but lacked the same spark. She's classy and could get an easy lead but may find a few finishing stronger. Capable of a bold show if allowed her own way but others look more convincing at this level now. SEE THE FIRE 4 HOT Fire. Neck second in this race last year and has looked better than ever in 2025, bolting up in the Middleton at York and then finishing a fine third against the boys in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Proven at 1m2f, handles fast ground and she's rock solid back against her own sex. Holds standout claims on form and will be right there if she repeats that Ascot run. WHIRL 5 WHIRL cool. Progressive filly who made light work of the Musidora at York in May before finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom, before gaining deserved Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly last time. That Curragh form looks rock solid with the runner-up boosting it since and this trip looks ideal. Fast ground holds no fears and she's thriving. Moore's pick from the yard and rates a major player with everything in her favour. Very hard to knock her serious winning chance. 3.45 GETREADYTORUMBLE looks a knockout bet. He's already scored over this C&D and lost nothing in defeat when third at Sandown last time, a race that's working out well. He's improving fast, handles good to firm, and still looks fairly treated. Main danger could be Nad Alshiba Green, who rarely runs a bad race and has hit the frame in eight of her nine handicaps. She was just behind Getreadytorumble at Sandown and remains a big player despite another 3lb rise in the weights. The Man is interesting too. He made a winning comeback after wind and gelding ops in a strong York handicap and could easily build on that now. Ruby's Profit didn't stay on the stiff track at Royal Ascot but flew home to win over this C&D in May. She's best when allowed to dictate. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Leader Live
11 hours ago
- Leader Live
Cercene taking distance test in Nassau Stakes
The experienced Irish handler has always thought of his star performer as a stayer in the making, but having excelled at a mile has so far been kept to no further than eight furlongs. However, after Cercene's thrilling victory at the Royal meeting, Murphy now scratches his long-held itch to move up in distance, where he is confident the daughter of Australia can hold her own once more in elite company. 'We were very happy with her since her last run and we'll find out how we get on up in trip, so it will be a learning curve,' said Murphy. 'She's so relaxed, we always thought she would be a mile-and-a-half filly but she proved us wrong by being so good at a mile. We've options we could try over those distances before the season ends, so we're looking forward to running and we're fortunate we have her. 'We have her in the Matron Stakes just in case she doesn't get the trip, but if she does it opens up more options for us and I do think she will stay. 'This is another test and another Group One. She's been third in a Guineas and won at Royal Ascot so she deserves to take her chance and plenty will be revealed by Friday.' If Cercene is to add a second Group One to her resume, she will have to crack the Ballydoyle duo of Whirl and Bedtime Story who will bid to give Aidan O'Brien a sixth victory in the 10-furlong feature, having also taken home the spoils with Opera Singer 12 months ago. Bedtime Story showed the ability that made her such an exciting juvenile last term when second in the French Oaks last month. However, it is Oaks runner-up Whirl who will carry chief Coolmore hopes having downed Andrew Balding's subsequent King George second Kalpana in tremendous fashion to claim the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. 'She's a very straightforward, honest filly, she's so uncomplicated it's not funny,' said O'Brien. 'It was the obvious race for her and it isn't over facing her, it's baby steps her way and that's why she's coming here. We've been very happy with her since the Pretty Polly.' Balding takes another crack at Whirl, this time with See The Fire, who was thwarted by a neck in this race last year and reverts to competing against her own sex after a fine third behind Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. 'She has started this year in fabulous form and was very impressive in the Middleton, winning a Group Two in easy fashion. And then we thought she ran a super race at Ascot against the boys in the Prince of Wales's Stakes,' said Balding, ahead of a race that guarantees a spot in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar. 'As a three-year-old we didn't see the best of her until we got to the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood where she was narrowly beaten. Then she went on and won the Strensall Stakes against older colts at York. 'There is evidence to suggest she is improving all the time, and she certainly looks to have done physically. She is an exciting filly, and hopefully the best is to come.' John and Thady Gosden's five-time scorer Running Lion completes the line-up, running at this distance for just the second time since her second in last October's Prix de l'Opera.
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Glorious Goodwood day three: Betting odds and race rundown
THE PUNTERS are on the floor after the first two days of Glorious Goodwood and will be looking to begin the fight back on day three. The Group 1 Nassau Stakes is the main attraction on day three with a mouthwatering clash between Whirl and See The Fire. Before that, we have Group 2 and Group 3 action to get us warmed up for the clash of the day. 🏇 Quick Glorious Goodwood day three predictions Win singles and each way bets from the best horse racing betting sites: 1:20 Coral Kincsem Handicap (3yo) - 1m2f Yet another trick contest to open proceedings on day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Fort George was a beaten favourite at this track over one mile in May, and even though he is not guaranteed to see out this new distance on pedigree, it's worth a crack given how he finished last time out. Best Adventure comes here with two wins to his name over this distance this season, and the slow pace at Sandown would not have helped his cause when seeking his third win of the season. He looks sure to get a pace to aim at here and has every chance of bouncing back. The French challenger BEST SECRET has been going along nicely in his career and comes here on the back of a near miss at Royal Ascot. He was given a lot to do on the day and ran a huge race to get as close as he did. There has been a lot of rain about at Goodwood this week, and given that Best Secret has winning form in France on ground with give underfoot, any further rain would not harm his chances. Yes, he has been well found in the market, but he has a lot going for him here. Marhaba Ghaiyyath, and the lightly raced Serenity Blue, who makes his handicap debut, look set to play their part as well. 1:55 Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes (2yo) - 6f A tricky Group 2 puzzle awaits, with a number in here with the potential of plenty of improvement. Coppull represents last season's winning trainer and comes here on the back of a fine third at Royal Ascot on what was just his second career start. The second that day, Do Or Do Not hasn't let the form down by placing in a further two Group 2s. It is yet to be seen how far this son of Bated Breath can go, and he has to be given massive respect. Havana Hurricane was well beaten by MAXIMIZED when they met at Epsom on soft ground, but the Eve Johnson Houghton colt has gone on to improve since winning the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, and then was turned over as the well-backed favourite in the Weatherby's Super Sprint at Newbury. Connections will hope that he will have improved enough to get the better of Maximized here, but this may be one race too many in quick succession. The Godolphin-owned Maximized was a perfect two from two when sent off as the strongly supported favourite in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket's July course. He got himself into an early pace battle that looked to soften him up, and even though he made a winning debut on good to firm ground, he did not appear all at home on that ground. His win at Epsom came with an ease in the ground, and now that he looks set to get softer conditions this time around, it's easy to see the son of Mehmas bouncing back from his disappointing Newmarket display here. 2:30 Group 3 HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes (3yo) - 1m4f This revolves around the Ger Lyons-trained LADY IMAN as she looks to get back to winning. Sir Dinadan ran well enough in the Irish Derby, but that was a strange race all around, and whether he can back that up here is the question. Wimbledon Hawkeye has threatened to be better than what he has shown this season, but even at that, he has been running to a consistently high level that would give him a more than realistic chance at going close here. The same can be said for the Aidan O'Brien-trained Galveston, who ran a big race from the front in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. Should Ryan Moore adopt the same tactics here, he will be dangerous if left alone on the lead. However, it's hard to get away from the vastly improved MERCHANT. He comfortably got the better of Rahiebb when they met at York, who has since gone on to go close in the Group 2 Queens Vase, a race that has since thrown up a Group 1 winner in Scandinavia. He is entitled to progress further for that, but whether he can reach the level that Merchant has sent when winning a Royal Ascot handicap is unknown. Strictly on their meeting at York, and the runs since, Merchant may still hold the edge over Rahieeb.d if she can prove that that run was not a fluke, she could be the one who can chance home the selection. Our pick: MERCHANT 3:05 Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes (3yo+) A race that has the makings of a classic with two three-year-old Group 1 winners going up against the highly talented four-year-old See The Fire. The Andrew Balding filly had a lukewarm start to the season with a fifth of seven finish in a Sandown Group 3. But she left that run well behind her when she backed off the boards in the Group 2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes at York, eventually winning by twelve lengths. Since then, she ran a career best to chase home, and at one point looked as if she was going to beat Ombudsman in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes. She will find this a bit less taxing than what she faced at Royal Ascot, but she may not be able to contain the enormous talent that is WHIRL. She was beaten on her return to the track this season at the Curragh over one mile, but with that pipe opener behind her, she shot into a new level when stepping up in distance to over one mile two furlongs at York. In a race that looked like a tough puzzle to solve, the daughter of Wootton Bassett blew the field apart with a devastating turn of foot to romp home by over five lengths. After that, she was just touched off by her stablemate Minnie Hauk in the English Oak (has since won the Irish Oaks), and then got her day in the sun when running them ragged from the front to get the better of Kalpana in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes. The runner-up has since gone on to fill the same position behind Calandagan in the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, giving Whirl's form a further boost. She gets the weight-for-age allowance here, and she can make the most of it here, just like her stablemate Scandinavia did on Tuesday. Bedtime Story may be the one to follow her home. Our pick: WHIRL 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. 4:20 Phase Eight Nursery Handicap (2yo) - 7f Top weight American Gulf was no match for Gstaad at Group 2 level at Royal Ascot, but he has an impressive winner on his racecourse debut. He has more than a live chance in a field that he will find less taxing than what he faced at Royal Ascot. Hey Tru Blue, Amazing Journey, and Sir Albert all come in here on the back of a win, and add their names to the list of potential winners. However, it's the runner who has yet to taste victory that appeals the most. The Ralph Beckett-trained VICTORIOUS ONE has yet to be just that after three runner-up finishes in his three starts to date. He has been turned over as an odds-on favourite twice so far, but Goodwood Galaxy, who beat him at Salisbury, has since gone on to be beaten by just over two lengths in the Group 2 Gordon Stakes here on Tuesday. His debut conqueror, Jel Pepper, has also gone on to place at Group 2 level. Victorious One didn't seem to enjoy front running at Epsom, and he wouldn't be the first horse that didn't show his best around the downs. Are there risks attached? Yes. But he is a horse with a lot of talent, and it's only a matter of time before he gets his head in front. 4:55 Tatler British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (2yo) - 7f It's into the unknown here with a line-up stack of newcomers and fillies who can show considerable improvement from first run to second. The most interesting newcomer is the 360,000gns purchase Proposal. The daughter of Frankel holds a Lowther entry, and she is one to keep a close eye on in the betting as we get closer to the off. The fellow Wathnan Racing-owned Quiescent has the experience of finishing runner-up on debut at Newmarket. She was beaten by over five lengths on the day, but she will have learned a lot from that experience and can go close here. One who could take a considerable step forward for his debut fourth at Newmarket's July course is Ice Sovereigns. She ran well for a long way and was given a nice experience to come home when her chance was gone. With the Johnston stable hitting form again, she is considered at big odds. However, AYLIN, who was sent off as the 8/11 favourite for her racecourse debut, only to lose out by a short head, can recoup her losses here. She ran around a bit under pressure on debut, and now that she is more street-wise, she can prove hard to beat. Our pick: AYLIN 5:30 World Pool Bet With The Tote Handicap (3yo 0-90) - 1m There should be a thrilling finale to day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, as the entire twenty-strong field in the World Pool Bet with The Tote Handicap are believed to be in with a chance. Course and distance winner Organ has been in a rich vein of form, winning his last three starts. He has gone up a total of twelve pounds for those wins, and could have a lot more up his sleeve, given that he is winning by the bare minimum. Impartiality started the season off with a bang, winning his first three starts. He left a below-par ninth-place finish behind when going down by a neck when not getting the clearest of runs on the all-weather at Southwell. Should he hold her form, he will be bang there. The two who could be worth concentrating on are Antipodes, whose win at Windsor has been franked with the second and third going on to win since, and the Charlie Johnston-trained SIR PAUL RAMSEY, who slightly edges it. Having returned this season with a nothing run at Newmarket when sent off at 25/1, he ran much better on his second start of the season/handicap debut to be beaten by just over five lengths. But it was when he came back to one mile on his second start in a handicap that we saw what the son of See The Moon is capable of. He reversed the form with War Eagle in no uncertain terms that day when beating the even-money favourite by over three lengths. He is the type who, now that he's got his head in front, will keep on improving. Despite a nine-pound weight hike, it's easy to see this typical Johnston type going close here. 🕔 Qatar Goodwood day three schedule TIME RACE DISTANCE 1:20 Coral Kincsem Handicap 1m2f 1:55 Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes 6f 2:30 Group 3 HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes 1m4f 3:05 Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes 1m2f 3:45 Buccellati Handicap 5f 4:20 Phase Eight Nursery Handicap 7f 4:55 Tatler British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes 7f 5:30 World Pool Bet With The Tote Handicap 1m 📺 How to watch day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival Location: Goodwood, United Kingdom Date/Time: Thursday, 31st July, 2025. First Race 1:20 TV/Streaming: ITV & Racing TV Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
