Goodwood gallery: Pictures from Friday's racing - and tips for Saturday's action

It was the first of three straight days of racing on the Downs – with Saturday’s £200,000 Celebration Mile the highlight of the weekend.

Friday’s action brought wins for Gobby Grace, Kokoluna, Kelly Burn, Velvet Goldmine, Sound and Vision and Beach Point.

The results included a back-to-back double for jockey Kieran Shoemark and trainer Ed Walker.

See pictures from Friday night’s action on this page and those linked – or all on the single page if you’re on the Observer app.

It’s day two of Goodwood Racecourse’s August Bank Holiday fixture and today’s (Saturday) card has seven races across the afternoon, with the Group Two Celebration Mile Stakes as the feature. Supporting are a maiden fillies’ race and five handicaps.

Read on for a preview of and tips for the Goodwood card, brought to you by Sporting Life.

We begin with a two-year-old fillies’ novice run over a mile (13.25). We have a few newcomers here, all of whom have promising pedigrees and connections, but the Charlie Johnston-trained Lily Pink was only beaten a neck last time and she could get to the front again. Thespian Queen also looks notable based on her all-weather debut, and Rhythm Of My Heart could turn out to be handy as well.

Race two is a seven-furlong handicap (14.00). With lots of recent winners in the field, this is a hot-looking race. The Fingal Raven is drawn wide but looks to be on a winnable mark now, particularly after a good third over course and distance last time. Galeron looks tempting now on a workable mark and he has a more favourable draw. He can handle soft ground if any rain continues to fall.

The third race is a mile and a half handicap (14.35). High Degree and Too Soon were both winners last time out, while Tony Montana steps up in trip here having gone well at this track last time over two furlongs shorter. He could be a player here but looks better for the placings. Rathgar’s recent form figure is not representative of how good his run was, so he could be in the mix.

Next is our feature race, the Celebration Mile (15.10). Eve Johnson Houghton’s Zavateri is the top-rated, having been performing in Group One company this term. This could be more within reach and the colt can go well at this track. Boiling Point looks to be the main opposition, having been consistent so far this term, but he has been degrading slightly rather than improving for his five-year-old season. We could see better from Qirat, who cannot be discounted.

A 10-furlong three-year-old fillies’ maiden follows (15.45). Marquetry and Queen Of Scotland are the newcomers, while Chimes Of Thunder is the most exposed of those with previous form. The King and Queen’s horse, Tropical Sands, has been improving with every step up in trip so far and she could be a factor here, while there should be more to come from Evening Call.

Second to last is a mile and three-quarter handicap (16.20). Caprelo could be on a winnable mark now, while Appier is a course and distance winner who proved last time out that this new mark is not totally beyond him. He could run to a place here. Russian Rumour could be a good option, beaten just three quarters of a length last time, while Arcturus Flame might be overlooked.

Last of all is a five-furlong handicap (16.55). Robert Cowell’s Kylian has been reasonably consistent this term and ran a good race or fourth of eight last time at Pontefract, so his new low mark could be workable here. He is nicely drawn in three and has a real chance. Naana’s Sparkle might get in each-way.

Goodwood selections - Saturday:

13.25 - Lily Pink

14.00 - Galeron

14.35 - Rathgar

15.10 - Zavateri, Qirat to place

15.45 - Tropical Sands

16.20 - Arcturus Flame

16.55 - Kylian