Friday tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets at Goodwood, Haydock and Downpatrick

Five-year-old mare Rosy Affair proved progressive last term, improving from the handicap sphere to claim Listed honours at Pontefract before doubling up at Group Three level in Deauville.

She made a pleasing return when narrowly beaten by talented rival Flora Of Bermuda at Newmarket earlier this month, and is entitled to take a step forward for that outing which should put her in a perfect position to pose a dangerous threat here.

This is a competitive contest, but the daughter of Havana Grey holds leading claims as the joint-highest rated runner in the field.

She has proven form in softer conditions at a higher level and could be tough to beat for the Classic-winning partnership of George Boughey and Billy Loughnane.

Despite having to give weight away to most of his rivals in this field, Ice Max makes appeal for Karl Burke, who won last year’s renewal of the race with Liberty Lane.

He has proven form in softer conditions and put in a good effort when finishing third to dual Derby winner Lambourn in the Group Two Huxley Stakes recently, when only a length and a quarter behind Group One winner Bay City Roller.

The five-year-old grey has plenty of form against tough opposition and has race fitness in his favour, having appeared twice already this season.

He's dropping in grade from his latest Chester run, and this could be the perfect opportunity for him to claim another Stakes level victory at the early 11-2 available.

Making his first appearance following a gelding operation and wind surgery, Lavender Gold is an interesting contender for David Menuisier, making the long trip up north to compete in this mile and a quarter handicap.

He's stepping up in trip to this distance for the first time, following a third-placed effort over an extended mile when last seen in the autumn, and could be well treated from an opening mark of 71.

The son of Victor Ludorum stayed on well on handicap debut at Wolverhampton following a sluggish start, sticking to the task late on while pulling over three lengths clear of the rest of the field in third.

He's a half-brother to a mile and a half winner in The Last Waltz, who was narrowly denied at Listed level, and is out of Lavande Violet, a half-sister to multiple black-type achievers, including the top-class Lope De Vega.

With a classy pedigree and unexposed profile, there could be plenty of further progression to come from Lavender Gold, who may be worth keeping onside under Hector Crouch on seasonal debut.

Richard Hannon-trained colt Al Arbeed remains unexposed on only his ninth career start and could have further progression to come if able to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Newmarket.

This is a drop in class and slightly softer conditions, as well as a different track, could see him to better effect as he returns to this seven-furlong trip.

The four-year-old son of Night Of Thunder is out of three-time six-furlong winner Queen's Pearl, dam of Aramram, who has claimed Listed success this season, as well as placing at Group Three level, earning himself a career-high mark of 110. He's a stablemate to his half-brother Al Arbeed and is also a proven winner in softer conditions.

Whilst Al Arbeed is yet to add to his sole success to date when winning on debut at Southwell, he has put in some noteworthy performances, including when fourth to the talented Amiloc here, when just denied third by now 115-rated Noble Champion, finishing ahead of now 103-rated Treble Tee.

With first-time blinkers applied, he could get back on track and return to form, potentially on a workable mark of 90 if putting his best foot forward.

In the five-furlong Goodwood finale, experienced gelding Seven Questions makes appeal under Jamie Spencer from a mark of 87, dropping in class which could allow him to return to the winners' enclosure and land a fifth career success.

The five-year-old son of Kodiac was once rated as high as 107 following a Group Three win and has also placed at Group Two level in the past. Whilst he may no longer be operating at that level, he still retains ability and was a decent fourth to Roman Dragon at Chester when last seen.

These are calmer waters and this could be a feasible opportunity for him to record a first success in two years when striking for his former trainer George Scott. He has been given a chance at the weights and may be able to strike on his 29th start.

On Downpatrick's evening card, Yoursimplythebest is a mare who warrants each-way consideration for Gerard Keane having been able to make the frame on a few occasions from a similar rating during the second-half of last year.

She achieved form figures of 332 in between two disappointing efforts from October to December, proving she possesses ability and improving on her previous outings the season prior during her debut campaign.

The daughter of Jukebox Jury was able to perform in handicaps in varied ground conditions over a distance of two and a half-miles up to three miles.

This 2m6f distance should therefore suit from a rating of 76, providing she can take a step forward from her return following a break at Tramore last month. It's too early to give up on the ten-race maiden, who could finally strike under Mike O'Connor in this contest.