Richard Fahey Goodwood Wednesday runners: Horse-by-horse guide

Horse Racing

Thu July 30, 2026 · 4h ago

Our columnist on his runner on days three of three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Thursday

14:25 Big Cigar

Big Cigar¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93| D

22/1

We’re rolling the dice and having a shot at the Richmond with him. It’s a big step up from a York nursery but he won that well and is an improving colt. We’ve always thought plenty of him and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.

Saturday

Goodwood

16:10 Proud Nation

Proud Nation²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Warren Fentiman⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 87| D

He’s probably drawn a little wider than I’d like but he comes here in great form. I thought it was a really solid run at Newmarket last time. He’s only a pound higher and is entitled to run very well.

16:45 Charted Course

Charted Course⁴⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: R A Fahey| OR: -

James Doyle has chosen to ride Market Leader for Karl Burke which is probably a tip in itself but we really like this colt. He’s a lovely two-year-old and we’ve been looking forward to stepping him up seven furlongs and get the chance to do that on Saturday. I’m looking forward to seeing him run.

Thirsk

13:38 Bacha

Bacha³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: -

This is a horse we do like but he ran no race at Newcastle on debut and I can't offer any reason why. Maybe he was just very fresh on his first day at school and I hope he runs like he works at Thirsk.

13:38 Unbeatable Fame

Unbeatable Fame¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: O McSweeney| T: R A Fahey| OR: -

He doesn't show a great deal at home and ran like that on his debut at Beverley. He's probably one for handicaps but we'll see if he improves with experience.

15:47 Our Havana

Our Havana^p1²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: O McSweeney| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| D

He was really disappointing at York last time, he just never got going at any stage. He's better than that and I've putt cheekpieces on him on Saturday to try and wake him again. I hope they work.

Doncaster

16:15 First Time

First Time¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

I was pleased with him here last time when he was drawn one and stuck out on a limb through the race. He’s a horse who will definitely be winning races and it would be great if it started with this one.

18:00 Ay Gee Ell

Ay Gee Ell^t,v²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 64

The handicapper hit him hard for winning on the all-weather but after six or seven runs he’s started to give him a chance. He’s down another three pounds and I’d like to see something more from him now.

Hamilton

19:00 Wootton's Gal

Wootton's Gal³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Ethan Tindall⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65

It’s her handicap debut and I don’t think the handicapper has been too harsh with a mark of 65. We’re stepping her up in trip which should suit and I’d like to see her run well.

20:30 Mwafaq

Mwafaq^p²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Ethan Tindall⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 71| CD

He’s in great form and knows how to win which is always a huge help. He’s professional, doesn’t win by too far, is a course-and-distance winner and has a lot going for him.