Glorious Goodwood 2022: Day 4 Spot Plays

The most significant race on Day 4 at Glorious Goodwood is the shortest. First run in 1911, the King George Stakes (G2) is one of the most important five-furlong races in Britain, along with the King’s Stand (G1) at Royal Ascot and the Nunthorpe (G1) at York.

In recent years it’s effectively been the Battaash Stakes, with Shadwell’s outstanding gelding winning the race four times between 2017 and 2020. Only once in that time did he win by less than two lengths, such was his dominance. Indeed, it was his failure here last year, when seventh to Suesa, that convinced his team that it was time to retire him.

In addition, Day 4 hosts the one-mile Thoroughbred Stakes (G3) for three-year-olds, the 1 1/2-mile Glorious Stakes (G3) for older horses, and the rich Golden Mile Handicap. Let’s have a look at the feature races on Friday.

Race 2, 9:25 a.m. ET: Thoroughbred Stakes (G3), 1 mile, 3-year-olds

An interesting field lines up here, featuring runners from Germany (#5 Rocchigiani) and Norway (#4 Hotline Bling). The home team fields some good horses in the form of Group 2 juvenile winner #1 Bayside Boy, 2,000 Guineas fifth placegetter #2 Berkshire Shadow, and the improving Coral Challenge runner-up #3 Checkandchallenge.

Any number of these horses could win, but I’m going with Checkandchallenge. He got a little too far back at Sandown in the Coral Challenge, but Goodwood may suit his style of racing better. I also wouldn’t rule out Berkshire Shadow, Bayside Boy, or Rocchigiani.

• $10 win/$20 place: #3 Checkandchallenge ($30)
• $1 trifecta: 2, 3 with 1, 2, 3, 5 with 1, 2, 3, 5 ($12)

Race 3, 10:00 a.m. ET: Golden Mile Handicap, 1 mile, 3-year-olds and up

Not surprisingly, this is an excellent field of handicap milers. However, inside draws are often important here, and one horse that seems to have it all going his way is #11 Noble Dynasty. He showed class and heart winning the Hamilton Handicap at Newmarket July 7 in his first run this season and looks ready for another strong effort.

#1 Sinjaari topped off some great form by winning the Coral Challenge July 2, beating Checkandchallenge; if the latter triumphs in the race before this one, Sinjaari’s appeal will increase further. #20 Jimi Hendrix and #7 Shining Blue are both in fabulous form but they have drawn the two outside gates, which will make this very tough; better chances may be #15 Blue For You, who has the inside draw, and #21 Lawful Command, who is holding his form well and has won twice already at Goodwood this year.

• $10 win/$20 place: #11 Noble Dynasty ($30)
• $5 win/place: #21 Lawful Command ($10)
• $1 trifecta: 11 with 1, 7, 15, 20, 21 with 1, 7, 15, 20, 21 ($20)

Race 4, 10:35 a.m. ET: King George Stakes (G2), 5 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up

It seems strange to see this race without Battaash, but it’s an intriguing and even contest. The 11-horse field features five horses that contested the King’s Stand (G1) at Royal Ascot last month: third-place finisher #2 Acklam Express, #4 Equilateral (5th), #1 Lazuli (9th), #5 Existent (11th), and #7 Ponntos (13th). The race also features #6 Khaadem, the only horse that could go with winner Nature Strip in the King’s Stand, though unfortunately he didn’t have a jockey aboard for any part of the race and was declared a non-runner.

The two early favorites, however, didn’t attend Royal Ascot. #8 Raasel and #10 Mitbaahy instead last raced in the Charge (G3) at Sandown July 2, where Raasel won by a neck from a slightly unlucky Mitbaahy, with Existent fourth and a very unlucky Equilateral sixth. Many will fancy Mitbaahy to turn the tables, but a big positive for Raasel is that he’s won both his Goodwood starts.

Though Acklam Express was at 200-1 in the King’s Stand, his form overall is good and he did win his only Goodwood start easily, albeit in much lesser company two years ago. I think he’s worth supporting. I’ll also keep Khaadem safe, though it remains to be seen how he’ll go with a jockey remaining on board.

• $10 win/$20 place: #2 Acklam Express ($30)
• $6 win/place: #6 Khaadem ($12)
• $1 trifecta: 2, 8 with 2, 6, 8, 10 with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ($18)

Race 5, 11:10 a.m. ET: Glorious Stakes (G3), 1 1/2 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Charlie Appleby has a strong hand here. Not only does he have three runners – a third of the field – but they also look to be good chances. #5 Global Storm ran very nicely for third behind another Appleby runner (Yibir) in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes (G2), while #8 Rebel’s Romance and #7 Kemari were first and second in the Fred Archer S. at Newmarket June 25. Rebel’s Romance appears the standout, scoring by more than three lengths in what was his first turf start, and he looks to have a decent future.

Of the others, veteran #9 Regal Reality returned to form nicely when second in the Gala S. at Sandown July 1, though he is unknown over 1 1/2 miles. #3 Fancy Man and #6 John Leeper are both capable on their day, while #1 Max Vega scored nicely two starts back in the John Porter (G2) at Newbury and may appreciate the return to this trip. However, I’m sticking with Rebel’s Romance.

• $10 win/$30 place: #8 Rebel’s Romance ($40)