Glorious Goodwood: fourth day

another great day´s racing at Glorious Goodwood with 4 Group races on the card, plus the week´s hottest mile handicap. Thi is the Betfred Mile at 16.05 CET which is, as expected, wide open. Mark Johnston has a great record here and is having another good week, but we would still be surprised if Heavy Metal (Joe Fanning) manages to repeat his Ascot win last Saturday over 7 furlongs, with Belgian Bill (George Baker twice!) and Bronze Angel (Marcus Tregoning/ Martin Dwyer) are among those reopposing oin 3 lbs better terms. Velox (Luca Cumani/ Andrea Atzeni) and the only 3yo in the field Our Channel (William Haggas/ Silvestre de Sousa) could be of more interest this time.
The Group Two King George Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.40 looks as tricky as any handicap. Moviesta (Bryan Smart/ Paul Mulrennan) won last year and must go on the short list again, but we prefer Extortionist (Olly Stevens/ Ryan Moore), who beat several of these at Sandown last time and seems to be a sprinter going ploaces. The trainer could have a good day as Lightning Thunder (Harry Bentley) has an obvious chance in the Group Three Thoroughbred Stakes over a mile at 15.20; the only filly in the field, she was runner-up in both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas. The danger is Shifting Power (Richard Hannon/ Hughes), whp ran well in both colts´ Guineas and was runner-up last time in the Prix Jean Prat. The Hannon/ Hughes team was in good form yesterday and they might also win the opening race, the Group Three Glorious Stakes over 1 1/2 miles, with the consistent Pether´s Moon; however the interesting one here is Encke (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick), who has not run since beating Camelot in the 2012 St. Leger. He was one of the Godolphin runners found to have been given steroids by their since disgraced trainer and has not run since, but in anywhere that form must go close here. Finally we fancy Queen Catrine (Charlie Hills/ Jamie Spencer) can reverse Royal Ascot form with the unbeaten Muteela (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) on 7 lbs better terms in the Oak Tree Stakes for fillies and mares at 17.50. Evita Peron (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) also has a chance here, but we are not sure that she like the firm ground.
The Galway Festival goes into its fifth day with mainly handicaps on the card The Guinness handicap over 11/2 miles at 19.50 is the best race here..Panama Hat (Andy Oliver/ Chris Hayes) is tremendously improved and has won his last 4 races; he has gone up a massive 36 lbs for his pains, but may still have more improvement to come. Dark Crusader (Tony Martin/ Fran Berry), whose trainer is in great form and who won at the meeting last year, is just one of many dangers.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Pether`s Moon - Encke - Quest For Peace
2. Race: Shifting Power - Bow Creek - Rapprochement
3. Race: Velox - Captain Cat - Belgian Bill
4. Race: Extortionist - G Force - Stepper Point
5. Race: Vimy Ridge - Sunset Sail - Red Icon
6. Race: Muteela - Queen Catrine - Manderley
7. Race: Festival Theatre - Artful Rogue - Rydan