Rory Delargy and David Massey look ahead to today's action, including the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Racing betting tips: Saturday August 1
0.5pts e.w. Startled in the 16:10 Goodwood at 12/1 (1,2,3,4 General, min 11/1)
0.5pts e.w. Shafdar in the 17:20 Goodwood at 11/1 (1,2,3,4,5 Sky Bet, Paddy Power, min 10/1)
1pt win Sparkling Pink in the 16:50 Doncaster at 6/1 (William Hill, take no lower)
16:10 Goodwood - 7f Handicap
Startled has looked a much improved performer this year, winning decent handicaps at Newmarket and York before his second over C&D two starts back, a perfectly good effort considering he met a bit of traffic in running. He probably wouldn’t have won even with a clear run, but the winner is useful (went into Group company for next start) and a couple in behind have franked the form since. Stick a line straight through his Chester run last time, he was badly hampered mid-race and could never get to the leaders. All the same, he wasn’t beaten that far on and shaped like he was still very much in form.
16:50 Doncaster - 7f Handicap
Sparkling Pink ran her best race this season when third over C&D in April, and for all that was a low-grade event, the form doesn’t look bad, the second a winner of his next two starts and the fourth narrowly beaten last time out. Three runs since then haven’t been so good, but there are ready excuses, soft ground no use at Haydock and she hasn’t quite seen a mile out at Redcar or Ripon on her last two starts, leading but proving vulnerable late on. Back at seven and with cheekpieces on to help her finishing effort, she has every chance in a weak event.
17:20 Goodwood - 1m1f Handicap
Shafdar is worth a look here. He beat Sweet Reward (reopposes today, but faces opposition for the at Epsom back in April and win over the 8½f trip, plus the fact he looked short of speed over a mile last time, both mean this trip is a positive. He hasn’t tried Goodwood yet but winning at Epsom gives you some hope he’ll be okay here and if they do go too quick again, he’ll be one of the beneficiaries of that, usually held up in his races.
Preview posted 10:30 BST on 01/08/26
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