Princess Looks Perfect For Goodwood Backers

By Nick Robson, PA

Highfield Princess has run with great credit in defeat so far this season and looks impossible to oppose in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

John Quinn's superstar was undoubtedly the best in her division last season, winning the Duke of York over six furlongs, the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half and dropping down to five to win the Nunthorpe and the Flying Five in Ireland. She even ran a big race at the Breeders' Cup, beaten just over a length.

She was just touched off on her comeback at York this year and then attempted an ambitious double at Royal Ascot in the King's Stand and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, placing in both and not beaten far, either.

Goodwood's five furlongs is one of the quickest in the country, arguably just behind Epsom, but as she is seemingly getting quicker with age that is no worry and she handles any ground. With no Group One penalty to carry, it will be disappointing if she does not get her head in front this time.

The exciting Nostrum has to be the pick in the Group Three Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute's three-year-old finished third to Chaldean in the Dewhurst last season, but missed the Classics with a minor setback.

Stoute probably was not that bothered in any case with the future in mind and when we finally did get to see Nostrum at the July meeting he appeared to have thrived for the extra time, winning what looked a good race by three lengths.

Well clear on the official ratings, there will be some long faces at Freemason Lodge if he is beaten.

Saffie Osborne's career is in the ascendency and she can bag another major prize in the Coral Golden Mile on Ouzo.

Osborne won the Racing League last season, bagged the Chester Cup on Metier and appears to be holding her own without her claim.

She rides Ouzo for her father, Jamie, and he is surely not far off winning having caught the eye on what was his first run of the season in the Royal Hunt Cup after winning plenty of placed prize-money in Dubai.

Ouzo was then second to the well-handicapped Perotto in a valuable race at Sandown but he can turn the tables with more cut in the ground given his last win at York - admittedly nearly three years ago - came on soft.

Northumberland Plate winner Calling The Wind may outclass his rivals in the Coral Goodwood Handicap.

Richard Hughes' stayer won this race two years ago, albeit off a much lower mark. However, he appears to be in the form of his life.

Second in the Ascot Stakes, he finally bagged the big prize he deserved at Newcastle and this race does not look as tough, despite a 4lb rise.

Despite having the soft conditions he so enjoys, it might be worth taking Hamish on in the l'Ormarins King's Plate Glorious Stakes.

He has not stood much racing in his life and after working very hard to win at York just 20 days ago, he may find this coming too soon.

John and Thady Gosden have probably been a little underwhelmed by Mimikyu so far this season, but she has form on soft ground and on her Park Hill run of last season she is a player. Wearing first-time cheekpieces, she is given another chance.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 6 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

BANGOR: Race 1: 14.40 Zafar, Race 2: 15.10 Buto, Race 3: 15.45 Mays Hill, Race 4: 16.20 Clody Flyer, Race 5: 16.55 Brief Times, Race 6: 17.30 Gavin, Race 7: 18.10 Eagle's Realm, Race 8: 18.40 Gold Link.

GOODWOOD: Race 1: 14.50 Calling The Wind, Race 2: 15.25 Nostrum, Race 3: 16.00 Ouzo, Race 4: 16.35 HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (NAP), Race 5: 17.10 Mimikyu, Race 6: 17.45 Gaiden, Race 7: 18.20 Maso Bastie.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 15.00 Geelong, Race 2: 15.35 Swift Hawk, Race 3: 16.10 Mc Loven, Race 4: 16.45 Cuban Grey, Race 5: 17.20 Voltaic, Race 6: 17.55 Asdaa, Race 7: 18.25 Royal Dream.

NEWMARKET: Race 1: 18.45 Lake Forest, Race 2: 19.20 Dors Toyboy, Race 3: 19.55 Ragosina, Race 4: 20.30 Doom, Race 5: 21.00 Dion Baker, Race 6: 21.30 Maxi Boy.

BATH: Race 1: 18.55 Big Bard, Race 2: 19.30 Something To Do, Race 3: 20.05 Ribal, Race 4: 20.35 Miss Sligo, Race 5: 21.05 Katar, Race 6: 21.35 Gherkin.

MUSSELBURGH: Race 1: 19.10 Let Her Loose, Race 2: 19.45 Bazball, Race 3: 20.20 Consoling, Race 4: 20.50 The Gay Blade, Race 5: 21.20 Looking For Lynda, Race 6: 21.50 Foreseeable Future.

ALL TO COME: Nostrum and Highfield Princess (Goodwood, Races 2 and 4).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4racing.com