THE Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes is one of the highlights of the five day Qatar Goodwood Festival and this is some renewal with the brilliant Poetic Flare heading the market after his 2,000 Guineas victories at Newmarket and the Curragh, followed by a fantastic performance in winning the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. He is clearly tough, having had five starts this season so far.

A surprise declaration was Snow Lantern, trained by Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon, as she was expected to appear in the Nassau Stakes on Thursday over one mile two furlongs. However, with the ground being much softer than expected after the heavy rain on Sunday her trainer felt it was much better to keep her to a mile at this stage. There was further rain on Monday night too, so Richard Hannon’s decision has been vindicated. Snow Lantern is proven on testing ground, and she adds so much intrigue here as she is improving all the time. A fascinating renewal.

Enjoy #athome and at Goodwood.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.50 Goodwood – Unibet ‘15 To Go’ Handicap (1m 4f)

Kolisi (nap) looked very smart when quickening away smoothly at Salisbury to record his first career success on his third career start, having finished third and second on his two previous appearances. The second Marching Army that day won comfortably next time at Leicester, looking a smart prospect. A mark of 87 for Kolisi looks generous to kick off with and having won on good to soft at Salisbury is clearly at home with some cut. A strong fancy for the William Haggas team.  

Unibet 11/2 each way

2.25 Goodwood – Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes Group 3 (7f)

Valdream for Charlie Fellowes found the drop back to six furlongs against her at in the Summer Stakes at York but still ran very well to finish second on her latest appearance. Valdream’s third in the Jersey Stakes when challenging late on ground with cut is as good a piece of form in the race. If she handles Goodwood, then this likeable type has a really good chance.

Unibet 6/1 each way

Onassis won the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot over a mile last season as well a Listed contest here at Goodwood over today’s trip. I thought Onassis had a good each way chance at Royal Ascot this year on her first start in 2021 in the Duke Of Cambridge Group 2 over a mile and yet she faded in the last part of the race. She then finished fourth in the Summer Stakes at York with stablemate Valdream second over six furlongs, which was too short. Onassis looks sure to benefit from the return to seven furlongs at a course where she is proven with soft ground conditions.

Unibet 9/1 each way   

3.00 Goodwood – Markel Molecomb Stakes Group 3 (5f)

Fearby really impressed me at Sandown last time out when winning a Listed contest over the minimum trip on good to soft, beating Mojomaker (reopposes today) by five lengths, with Kaboo (also reopposes) back in third. I was at Sandown that day and Fearby showed what a good temperament he has too. He is on a three-timer here, as he won at Wetherby on his previous start and can beat main rival Chipotle, the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes winner.

Unibet 5/2 win

Arboy Will is worth a small each way wager if conditions stay testing, as he won on the heavy last time out at Lingfield when returning a good speed figure. Admittedly he has plenty to find, yet he has blazing early speed and might be able to put that to good use against the stands rail.

Unibet 25/1 each way

3.35 Goodwood – Qatar Sussex Stakes Group 1 (1m)

Snow Lantern is a fascinating contender here and really adds to this Group 1. There is no doubt that she is up against such an impressive performer in Poetic Flare, yet she is making great strides herself. Two starts ago at York she wouldn’t settle at all and then at Royal Ascot she finished second to Alcohol Free after not getting a clear run in the Coronation Stakes. I liked the way she handled the testing conditions that day and the way she travelled in the straight showing real determination. Snow Lantern’s Falmouth Stakes win at the July Festival beating 1,000 Guineas winner Mother Earth was another step up and Snow Lantern can run another big race here.

Unibet 11/2 each way