GEORGE BOUGHEY: Glorious Goodwood – Day One

The wait is over as the Qatar Goodwood Festival gets underway, with five days of top-class racing ahead on one of the most unique tracks in the world, writes GEORGE BOUGHEY.

We have just the one runner at Goodwood on the opening day, alongside a promising two-year-old heading to Yarmouth.

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ZIGLY – 5:55pm Goodwood

Zigly heads into the Fillies’ Handicap in terrific form and has been a model of consistency throughout her career. She arrives at Goodwood after another solid effort and, while she is stepping up in grade, she’s earned the opportunity.

I’ve always felt she’s the type of filly who will run her race whatever the level, and hopefully she can be competitive again on a track that should suit her.

MITHAALY – 3:10pm Yarmouth

Mithaaly shaped with plenty of promise on his debut, finishing his race off strongly despite showing plenty of inexperience. He’s still a raw horse and I’ve always liked running nice young horses at Yarmouth, which looks the ideal next step for him.

The trip is the slight unknown. His pedigree suggests he could get quicker as he matures, but the way he hit the line on debut gives me confidence he’ll stay 7f.

GOODWOOD CUP PREVIEW – 3:35pm Goodwood

The opening-day feature is a fascinating renewal of the Goodwood Cup, and my selection is Scandinavia.

He’s a thoroughly uncomplicated, hardy horse who just keeps finding a way to win. A small field should play to Ryan Moore’s strengths and allow him to ride the race exactly as he wants. Scandinavia looks a classic Ballydoyle stayer who continues to progress, and I think he’ll take plenty of beating.

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