15:35 Goodwood

Sunday 24 August 2025

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Virgin Bet Celebration Mile Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 36.80s

(2)

Ice Max³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 109| CD

5/1

Better than ever to win a 4-runner renewal of this race in soft ground last year. Hasn't built on that but bounced back to form when a smooth-travelling runner-up to Persica in the Diomed in June. Typically pulled too hard in a Group 3 at Chantilly last time but remains capable if things drop right.

Form: 149-726

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Make Me King²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 111| D

5/2

Beat a subsequent winner to land Group 3 at Deauville last summer and followed up with victory in a valuable event in Abu Dhabi in December. Every bit as good this season, winning a 6-runner listed race at Pontefract (1m) with a bit up his sleeve last month. Can hold his own back in group company.

Form: 71-3331

(1)

Persica²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 114| D

7/2

Continued his progression when landing the Earl of Sefton in April and was better than ever under a penalty when beating Ice Max in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom in June. Shaped better than the result when fifth in a Munich Group 1 (10f, soft) last time and should make a bold bid with sights lowered.

Form: 8-31815

(5)

Arisaig¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: C Johnston| OR: 98| CD

12/1

Has run well in both starts here, winning a handicap at the Glorious meeting last season and still had plenty of running left when denied a clear run in a fillies listed race here in May. In good form in handicaps of late and while this represents a step up, she's clearly well-suited to this track.

Form: 552025

(6)

Jonquil²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: A M Balding| OR: 115

3/1

Debut winner for Sir Michael Stoute and improved to land the Greenham on debut for Andrew Balding before running Henri Matisse close in the French 2000 Guineas. Hasn't been seen to best effect since, including in the Lennox (7f) here last month. Could easily get back on track returning to 1m.

Form: 16-1205

(7)

Saqqara Sands²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 104| C

8/1

Strong at the finish to land her first black type when winning a 7f listed race at Carlisle in June and was much improved when dead-heating in a Group 3 at this track (7f) last month. Straightforward type is in excellent hands and could progress again with the step up to 1m expected to suit.

Form: 212-211

Non-Runners

(4)

Balmacara⁷¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: Eve Johnson Houghton J: Charles Bishop

Forecasts

Make Me King (5/2), Jonquil (3/1), Persica (7/2), Ice Max (5/1), Saqqara Sands (8/1), Arisaig (12/1), Balmacara (25/1)

PERSICA is a dual Group 3 winner already this season and was far from disgraced in a German Group 1 last month. He's taken to make a breakthrough at Group 2 level and is narrowly preferred to Jonquil, whose second in the French 2000 Guineas represents the strongest form on offer, though he needs to get back on track having lost his way a little since then. Most of the others have claims, notably Make Me King who was better than ever when winning a shade cosily in listed company last time.