Glorious Goodwood: The lowdown on day two

The score is currently two-nil to Dawn Approach, trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger for Godolphin, who had Toronado seven and a half lengths behind when decisively taking the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4.

That margin of superiority was cut down to just a short-head in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18 as the Richard Hannon-trained Toronado was narrowly denied in a thrilling finish.

Both colts are taking on older horses for the first time and could face stiff opposition from the Aidan O’Brien-trained Declaration Of War. The four-year-old readily captured the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and could step back to a mile after coming home second in the 10-furlong Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park on July 6.

Aljamaaheer and Gregorian filled the places behind Declaration Of War in the Queen Anne Stakes, while dual Group One heroine Sajjhaa could represent Godolphin.

Trade Storm is on course to line up for the older generation. The David Simcock-trained five-year-old was a Group Two winner over a mile at Meydan, Dubai, in March and has run at Ascot on his last two starts. On June 18, he was fifth behind Declaration Of War in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes and last time out came home fourth, beaten under two lengths, behind Aljamaaheer in the Group Two Summer Mile on July 13.

Here is the Racing Post page giving the up-to-date list of entries for the second day

Here is our day-one preview

David Redvers, racing manager to owners Qatar Racing Limited, said today: “It is very much the plan for Trade Storm to run in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes.

“His last two runs at Ascot were very good. He is a big, burly horse who takes time to get fit and his last start was a useful prep run for Goodwood.

“His overall level of form is good and sets a good standard for the three-year-olds in the race to aim at.

“I think he barely stays a mile, so a fast track like Goodwood should play to his strengths.”

Glory Awaits was second to Dawn Approach in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, while O’Brien’s Gale Force Ten was runner-up in the Irish equivalent before winning the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, in which Godolphin’s Tawhid was third.

Olympic Glory, representing the same connections as Toronado, is set to head to France for the Prix Jacques le Marois and the confirmations are completed by likely pacemakers Reply and Leitir Mor.

Day two of Glorious Goodwood also includes the 12-furlong £75,000 Group Three Neptune Investment Management Gordon Stakes (2.30pm), which has proven a springboard for future middle-distance stars.

Millenary (2000), Sixties Icon (2006) and Conduit (2008) all went on to capture the Ladbrokes St Leger, while Encke was beaten a nose in last year’s race before going on to glory in the Doncaster Classic. The 2009 winner Harbinger was the highest-rated horse in the world the following year following his stunning win in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

This year’s contest has attracted an entry of 14 including Festive Cheer and Cap O’Rushes, who were third and fourth respectively in the Irish Derby. Elidor won the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot, while fellow Ascot scorer Bold Sniper could line up for The Queen. Those four and six others hold entries in the Ladbrokes St Leger.

The juveniles get their chance to shine in the £75,000 Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes (3.40pm) and 11 entries for the seven-furlong contest include Somewhat, who went down by a head in the Group Two Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting.

Parbold found only War Command too strong in the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Outstrip, Toormore and Shifting Power have all made winning starts to their careers.

Racing starts at 1.55pm with the £40,000 UBS Goodwood Handicap over a marathon two miles and five furlongs, which has 42 entries including Ascot Handicap third Lieutenant Miller and Salisbury scorer Beyond.

The action is completed by the six-furlong £20,000 Markel Insurance Fillies’ Maiden (4.15pm, 26 entries), the £17,500 British Stallion Studs Turf Club EBF Fillies’ Handicap (4.50pm, 26 entries) over seven furlongs and the £17,500 Harwoods Racing Club Handicap (Sponsored By Harwoods Group) (5.25pm, 59 entries), also over seven furlongs.

The going at Goodwood remains Good, Good to Firm in Places on the straight and Good to Firm, Good in Places on the round course.

Clerk of the Course Seamus Buckley reported on Thursday: “We are absolutely delighted with the entries for the first two days of Glorious Goodwood and it is very encouraging to see the level of entries, particularly during the current dry spell.

“Due to forecast rain on Saturday, any further watering will be restricted to drier areas. If the rain does not materialise, a decision regarding any further watering will be made on Sunday morning.

“Hopefully, the rain will arrive and we can look forward to starting the meeting on decent, goodish ground.”

For tickets please visit: www.goodwood.co.uk