The 5 day Glorious Goodwood Festival got underway today (28th) and finishes on Saturday 1st August when the Group 1 Nassau Stakes worth £200,000.00 will be run. This is a 1 mile 2 furlong race for 3 year old and upwards fillies and mares. Perhaps Rainbow View will now be running over her best distance and hopefully she will get her nose in front where it matters. The other Group 1 of the week, the Sussex Stakes, will be run tomorrow. This should be the highlight of the meeting. It is a race for 3 year olds and upwards worth £300,000.00 run over 1 mile. On form it looks to be between Rip Van Winkle, Paco Boy and Ghanaati. Johnny Murtagh considers this could be Rip Van Winkle's best distance. If he has recovered from his exertions against Sea the Stars ( pictured) in the Coral Eclipse, he should win. It was good to see Marcus Tregoning's horses back in form with Finjaan winning today. On Thursday he runs Askar Tau in the Goodwood Cup, a race for 3 year olds and upwards run over 2 miles. Askar Tau has not run since starting favourite and finishing fourth to Caracciola in the Cesarewitch last October. This is a step up but he looked a progressive horse last season and has age on his side. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The 3 day Ascot "King George" Meeting gets underway tomorrow (Friday 24th) with the centre piece of the meeting being the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which will be run on Saturday. This race was first run in 1951 and was designed for the finest horses from different generations and different countries to compete over one and a half miles. The winner would be recognized as a true champion. There are no overseas visitors this year but we do have some three year olds to take on the older horses. Disappointingly the top three year olds, Sea the Stars, Rip Van Winkle, Fame and Glory and Sariska are all being primed for races elsewhere. It is a shame for Ascot and its new sponsors Betfair that the race is not better patronized especially as it is worth £1,000,000.00. I guess the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe run on the first Sunday in October at Longchamp will always be the number one champion race. Sir Michael Stoute appears to hold the best hand of cards with his three runners, Conduit, who stable jockey Ryan Moore has chosen to ride, Tartan Bearer, to be ridden by Michael Kinane and Ask, to be ridden by Olivier Peslier. There is bound to be a strong pace which will suit those who can stay beyond the one and a half miles. Conduit (pictured) and Ask come into this category. Conduit will be running over the distance for the first time this season and looks the one they all have to beat. The 12/1 on offer with Skybet for Sir Michael Stoute to train the first three home looks appealing. The International Heritage Handicap worth £150,000.00 will be run over 7 furlongs before the King George. Captain Brilliance will be looking to recover losses for his narrow defeat in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Newmarket July Festival gets underway tomorrow (Wednesday 8th) and promises to serve up some top class racing as usual. There are two Group 1 races, the Falmouth Stakes for fillies and mares 3 year old and upwards worth £200,000.00 will be run on Wednesday over 1 mile. The other Group 1 will be the highlight of the three days, the July Cup, a six furlong sprint for 3 yo's and upwards worth £400,000.00 which will be run on Friday. Goldikova comes over from France for the Falmouth Stakes and if she reproduces her form of last season she will take all the beating. Rainbow View has gradually improved with each run this season and should make Goldikova pull out all the stops. Scenic Blast pictured beating Fleeting Spirit in the King Stand Stakes over 5 furlongs at Royal Ascot will be a warm favourite for the July Cup. Art Connoisseur was equally impressive in winning the Golden Jubilee Stakes over 6 furlongs at Royal Ascot. I am hoping the extra furlong will help Fleeting Spirit get closer to Scenic Blast. She and Art Connoisseur look the each way value. The big handicap of the Festival is the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup worth £100,000.00 run over 7 furlongs on Friday. Signor Peltro is a reliable sort and might make the frame with any luck at a big price. For all the latest news from the course click on Newmarket. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".