Nic Doggett was watching all the action on the Downs this week picks out an eye-catcher from each day of Glorious Goodwood.
Tuesday
11th, Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap, 10f
I'll try not to make this all about horses who didn't get a clear run in a big field – that's what Goodwood is often about, after all – but Wave Rider looks sure to be of interest next time.
In a race won by his better-fancied stablemate Al Aali, the mount of Oisin Murphy travelled well for a long way and was repeatedly denied a run in the final couple of furlongs.
Murphy was very easy on him once defeat was inevitable, but he still ran on well under hands and heels to be beaten five lengths.
Proven on varying ground, he's one to look out for next time – especially if dropped a pound or two in the weights.
Wednesday
4th, Rolls-Royce Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3), 7f
Despite being restless in the stalls, Planet Seeker fared best of the six three-year-olds in the line-up on her first start outside of handicap company.
She'd been a very taking winner off 85 at HQ the time before on her first start over seven furlongs, and was the only filly to make up serious ground from the rear in this Group Three, the trio who finished ahead of her all more prominent throughout.
Still a little green when first asked to pick up the leaders, she looks sure to have learnt plenty and clearly has the talent to pick up a good handicap or some black type whilst the ground is fast ("She loved the ground, she flew on the ground," said Jamie Spencer after Newmarket).
Watch: Planet Seeker caught the eye in the Oak Tree Stakes Thursday
4th, Tatler British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes, 7f
Clearly, runner-up So Lovely won't be long in picking up a maiden, especially when back up in trip, but the fourth Siena Storm was a big eye-catcher in a race that has had a habit of going to those towards the head of the betting.
Sent off at 10-1, Siena Storm was green in the early stages – slowly away from a good low draw - but made good headway from off the pace two furlongs out, and continued to make up ground on the far rail throughout the closing stages.
The first foal of a 10f winner and from the family of the Coronation Stakes winner Rebecca Sharp (who shaped well on debut before winning next time out), she looks sure to progress with this experience under her belt; another furlong will prove no problem, either.
Friday
4th, Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes, 9f
This conditions event turned into a sprint, with eventual winner Galen allowed to set his own fractions; in receipt of weight from most of his rivals, that wasn't going to go unpunished.
While the winner may head off on his travels again (having now won £575k for connections), it was the fourth Diego Ventura who caught my eye with what looks a career-best effort.
Held up, he had to be vigorously ridden by Callum Rodriguez to try and close on the leader on the outside, but eventually got going and was only beaten three parts of a length at the line.
This was a step up in class (handicap winner at Hamilton the previous month), but he looks well up to his entries in a Group Three at Leopardstown (might come a bit soon) and the Celebration Mile back at the track later this month. Softer ground would help his chance wherever he turns up next.
Watch: Waardah lost little in defeat in the Lillie Langtry Stakes
Saturday
3rd, Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2), 14f
Last year's third Goodie Two Shoes got the better of previous course winner Santorini Star, and would have been a candidate for this feature had she not got up by a nose having had to wait for a run on the inner, but it's last year's winner Waardah who looks the one to take out of it.
Her win last year came on softer ground, and there's no doubt that a return to those conditions will suit, but jockey Callum Rodriguez may also rue giving the strong stayer so much to do.
Held up last and somewhat keen in what didn't appear to be a strongly-run race, she made good ground to get within challenging distance of the front-running Santorini Star, but wasn't able to produce the same finish as those ahead of her.
Her previous second to Estrange obviously reads well, and whilst a race like the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster would be an obvious port of call, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see her try to beat the boys in a race like the Irish St. Leger, especially if the ground was in her favour.