Mitbaahy and Waardah are among the leading contenders at Goodwood on Saturday, where the Coral Stewards’ Cup and the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes are set to attract strong fields.

Mitbaahy, owned by Charlie Hills and ridden by Jamie Spencer, is poised to add to their collective success in the Coral Stewards’ Cup, one of the premier sprint handicaps of the racing calendar. Hills and Spencer have both tasted victory in this race multiple times, with Hills winning aboard Magical Memory in 2015 and Khadeem in 2019, while Spencer secured wins on Guinea Hunter in 2001 and Zidane in 2007.

Although lightly raced since capturing a Group Two event a few years ago, Mitbaahy arrives at Goodwood in solid form after a runner-up finish at Newbury. His recent performances show he has often recovered well from slow starts, a key factor since he was noted as the slowest of 27 runners to reach 20 mph in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, where he eventually finished fifth. The horse’s tendency to begin slowly could work to his advantage this time, as pace projections suggest the presence of several front-runners—eight in total—with seven more preferring to race near the front. This setup might allow Mitbaahy to capitalize by closing strongly from off the pace, a strategy that suits his finishing speed, which has ranked among the best in four of his last nine races. Drawn wide in stall 25, he will need to navigate carefully to find a clear run.

In the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at 3:00 p.m., Waardah looks well-placed to defend her title. The mare impressed last year by accelerating rapidly over the last half of the race, including two quick furlongs clocked at under 11 seconds. She has shown readiness for this year’s renewal with a strong second-place finish behind the high-class Estrange at Carlisle, where she was only a fraction of a second slower in the final furlong. Waardah’s combination of tactical speed and stamina makes her a formidable candidate to retain the crown.

The races at Goodwood this weekend highlight a mix of rising talent and established performers, with strategy and race positioning expected to play decisive roles in determining the outcomes.