Trainer Charlie Appleby is aiming to replicate last year’s success in the Listed British Stallions Studs EBF Chalice Stakes with his filly Romantic Symphony, who is scheduled to run at Goodwood on Saturday. Appleby’s previous winner in this contest, Silent Love, delivered a notable victory over a mile and a half, and the trainer’s current entry is a member of the Classic generation, which has dominated recent renewals of the race. These younger horses benefit from a substantial 10-pound allowance against their older competitors. Romantic Symphony, ridden by Billy Loughnane, finished second at Longchamp in June and will start at approximately 1.33 odds in the listed contest.
Also at Goodwood, the Highclere Castle Gin Handicap will feature Hopewell Rock, a contender trained by George Boughey. The six-year-old finished sixth of 17 in the mile-and-a-half contest at Royal Ascot in June and is expected to benefit from the step up to a mile and six furlongs on Saturday. Ride jockey Ryan Moore, Hopewell Rock is available at around 7-1 odds and is considered a strong each-way option.
Thirsk will host the William Hill Summer Cup Handicap over the turning mile, where Mirsky is among the 12 runners set to compete. Trainer David O’Meara’s runner breaks from stall five and has a promising record at the Yorkshire venue, having won over the same trip in May off a handicap rating of 93. Although Mirsky has not placed since, the return to this mark suggests the horse may be primed for a resurgence.
At Goodwood, the Group Three Coral Glorious Stakes is expected to attract quality performers including In My Teens, a four-year-old filly trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Oisin Murphy. The Irish contender won impressively by seven lengths at the Curragh in late June and maintains a handicap rating of 111. Another notable entry in this race is Opportunity, a progressive runner who took the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap and is stepping up in class for this event. He is regarded as a leading candidate by some analysts.
In the Group Two Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes, five-year-old Waardah, last season’s winner over the distance at Goodwood, returns under the care of trainer William Haggas. Santorini Star, also trained by Haggas, is expected to be competitive as well, having demonstrated toughness and talent throughout the current season. After a below-par effort at Royal Ascot, the mare may find the longer stamina test and removal of headgear beneficial.
Other runners to watch at Goodwood include Startler in the Phase Eight Handicap, who has recorded two wins this season and showed strong placed form on this course previously. The soft ground that affected her recent performance at Chester may be less of a factor on Saturday.
El Matador, competing in the evening’s concluding race at 5.20 p.m., is viewed as a strong contender, potentially among the best bets on the card. Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Romantic Symphony and Billy Loughnane headline the ITV coverage at Newmarket, where they aim to follow last year’s winning pattern in the Listed British Stallion Studs Chalice Stakes.