Dalkova (13-2) made virtually every yard of the running to land Galway's Arthur Guinness EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes.
Dermot Weld's Tested was all the rage as the 8-11 favourite, with her only defeat from four previous starts coming when sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Tested tracked the Johnny Murtagh-trained Dalkova into the home straight, but she was unable to reel in Niall McCullagh's mount, who clung on to claim the Listed prize by half a length. Colour Blue was third.
Murtagh said: "It's hard work being a trainer and the winners are not as plentiful and they don't come as often.
"Andrew (Tinkler, owner) has always had great faith in this filly and I really fancied her. I knew she'd get up the hill really well and she's very tough and game - a typical Galileo. Seven furlongs or a mile is her trip and she'll be stepped up to Group Three company now."
Willie Mullins and Paul Townend secured their third winner of the week as Alelchi Inois readily completed a hat-trick in the Guinness Harp Novice Chase. The six-year-old was an 8-11 favourite following recent triumphs at Tramore and Killarney and drew clear of Howwoulduno with the minimum of fuss.
"He's a huge horse and you'd think he'd like a bit of give in the ground, but he loves this fast ground and he was impressive," said Mullins.
"He seems to have a lot of scope and a lot of ability, but he is ground dependant. We'll keep going as long as we can. I would imagine we'll try and find a novice for him in Killarney and maybe Listowel if the weather holds."
Trainer Stephen Mahon and jockey Denis O'Regan teamed up to land the opening event on day four as Aranhill Chief claimed top honours in the GuinnessPlus App Beginners Chase.
The seven-year-old was a 12-1 shot, having snapped a year-long losing run over hurdles at Bellewstown in early July, and his jumping impressed as he held off the challenge of Thomond by two lengths.
But the race will perhaps be best remembered for a remarkable recovery by dual champion jockey Davy Russell. Russell was catapulted into the air when his mount, Vaxalco, made a bad mistake four fences from the finish.
And though the rider landed on the horse sideways, he somehow managed to get back on to the saddle and steer the grey home to finish fourth.
Mahon said: "The horse is in the Galway Blazers (on Friday) and we'll see how he is."
Hasanour, trained by Mick Halford and ridden by Shane Foley, edged ahead in a thrilling climax to the Guinness Time Handicap.
Stretaw (5-1) came through to throw down a strong challenger for favourite-backers in the closing stages, but the 9-1 scorer passed the post a head to the good, with Shalamzar spotted making good late progress to finish third.
Halford said: "It all worked out well as it opened up nicely for him. It's been a nightmare week for us until this but this horse is settling better and has plenty of pace. He can step back up in trip again and he'd get another furlong."
Desertmore Stream, capably partnered by Brian O'Connell, then ran out a length-and-a-quarter winner of the Guinness Novice Hurdle for the Philip Fenton-Gigginstown House Stud axis.
Denis Hogan's Ridestan (7-4 favourite) was another all-the-way scorer in the Guinness Surge Handicap, while Stephen Mahon and Denis O'Regan landing top honours in the opening GuinnessPlus App Beginners Chase.
The concluding Guinness Legacy Flat Race was won by Shark Hanlon's 6-4 favourite Clondaw Farmer, who held Blueprint Bob by a short head.
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Leading fancy Intrinsic has made the cut for the 32Red Cup at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday.
His inclusion will be no doubt be a relief to connections after he got in as number 25 in a maximum 28-strong field for the big handicap formerly known as the Stewards' Cup.
Robert Cowell's sprinter has won both his starts this season, including over the course and distance last time out in May.
Intrinsic had topped the ante-post market with some bookmakers until last weekend when Muthmir staked his claim with an impressive victory in the Skybet Dash at York. A 6lb penalty guaranteed the lightly-raced four-year-old a place in the field as trainer William Haggas goes for back-to-back victories.
His 2013 winner Rex Imperator will attempt to repeat last year's success off a 4lb higher mark and he has to carry top weight of 9st 10lb this time.
Muthmir appeared to be done few favours with the draw, though. He was the third-last horse to be pulled out of the hat, by which time only stalls one, two and three were left. Connections opted for stall two, with York Glory taking three and Ballesteros stall one.
The stands side was the preferred option, especially after the speedy Ashpan Sam was placed in stall 21. Intrinsic came out next and connections plumped for the next door in stall 22.
Clear Spring was first to be drawn, and will race from stall seven, while among others of interest were Ninjago (15), Alben Star (19), Discussiontofollow (23), Rex Imperator (26), Borderlescott (12) and Seeking Magic (28).
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The 2012 St Leger winner Encke finally makes his return to action in the Coutts Glorious Stakes at Goodwood on Friday.
The five-year-old was the most high profile of the 22 Godolphin horses banned from racing last year as part of the Mahmood Al Zarooni drugs scandal.
Encke denied Camelot the Triple Crown at Doncaster and makes his comeback in this Group Three contest in the care of Al Zarooni's successor Charlie Appleby, who believes his charge is likely to be in need of the outing.
He said: "We hope that Encke can show the same enthusiasm and level of ability that he displayed as a three-year-old. He is giving all of the right signs at home but you will never know for sure until he gets on to a racecourse.
"He is a big horse and, having been of the course for nearly two years, he can only improve on whatever he does on Friday. He is not 100 per cent but is fit enough to do himself justice.
"He handles the course well and has run on good to firm going previously, although we would prefer some ease in the ground in an ideal world. We should get a good idea of where we are with him and hopefully we can think about a nice autumn campaign afterwards."
Godolphin are also represented by Songcraft, who has his first start in England since last season.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor told
"Songcraft ran well in Dubai earlier in the year and he has been working nicely. A mile and a half on good or good to firm ground will suit him although I expect him to come on for his first start since March."
Quest For Peace took this prize in 2012 and then won the March Stakes on this track three weeks later before travelling to Australia where he was trained by Peter Moody. He is now back with Luca Cumani but will have to overcome a nine-month absence.
"It's his first start for a long, long time. He seems in good form and is ready to go. We'll have to see if he retains his old ability or not. He won this race two years ago, but he's two years older now, so we'll have to see," said the Newmarket trainer.
Pether's Moon is another with winning course form, having taken a handicap at this fixture last summer. The Richard Hannon-trained colt has stepped up to Pattern company this term, and has acquitted himself well, having been placed in the Hardwicke and Princess of Wales's Stakes on his last two starts.
"He won here last year, but he has had an unlucky season and deserves to get his head back in front," the Marlborough trainer told
www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
"He has only a neck to find with Hillstar on their running in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket, and but for being switched at a crucial stage our fellow might well have won, so we have to go there hopeful. He'll love this fast ground."
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Trainer Dean Ivory is keeping his fingers crossed for some ease in the ground at Glorious Goodwood on Friday as July Cup runner-up Tropics bids to go one better in the Betfred King George Stakes.
The six-year-old has always been a talented sprinter, but was enduring a disappointing campaign before bouncing back to form with a career-best effort to chase home Slade Power at Group One level almost three weeks ago.
He tackles the minimum distance for the first time in his career on the Sussex Downs, but it is ground conditions rather than the drop in trip that is worrying Ivory.
He said: "He's going there in great form, but I have to be honest and say the ground is a little bit of a concern. I'll walk the track in the morning and make a decision from there, but I don't want to set him alight on fast ground.
"He's coming back to five furlongs, which is a little bit of an unknown, but he seems to have bags of speed and he's a horse who can hit the front a little bit too early. Coming back to five furlongs, they'll go that stride quicker and it should set it up perfectly for him. If the ground was right I think he'd have a massive chance."
The Bryan Smart-trained Moviesta looked destined for the top of the sprinting ranks when running out an impressive winner of the Group Two prize 12 months ago, but he has not yet rediscovered that level of form this season.
Part-owner Ritchie Fiddes said: "He's been a bit unlucky this year, he's not had his right ground or he's had a little niggle. He ran a fantastic race at Newmarket (in the July Cup) I thought as he was only 95% fit. There's a bit more in his favour now, though, he's working well and we all feel he's a better horse than when he won it last year.
"He bruised his foot just before Ascot which meant he couldn't run there and then forced him to miss a couple of weeks which left him short for the July Cup. Despite that I think if the ground was good to firm he could have got in the money.
"There are some good younger horses in this but like we did last year, they now have to step up against their elders. We're drawn in the same stall again (five), so we're happy with that."
The leading three-year-old contender in the field is Extortionist, who claimed his second victory of the season with a dominant display in the Coral Charge at Sandown. T rainer Olly Stevens admits he has been surprised how well his youngster has matched up against his elders.
He said: "He's in good form and this race was the natural progression for him, so we'll see how he goes. Going into every race this year we've been mindful of the fact three-year-olds are up against it in the sprinting division, but he's done really well and the form of his last win at Sandown looks solid.
"If he can reproduce that sort of run, hopefully he'll run a big race. At the end of the day, the only two races for him over five furlongs in this country were this and the Nunthorpe. When they're in good form, you've got to run them."
The David Griffiths-trained Take Cover and David O'Meara's G Force were first and second respectively in the City Walls Stakes at York three weeks ago and renew rivalries.
G Force carries the familiar colours of Middleham Park Racing and bloodstock manager Nick Bradley said: "It's probably not the ideal race for him as it's a fast five furlongs at Goodwood and he prefers a stiff five, but he's in good shape and we decided to let him take his chance.
"We thought about waiting and going straight to the Nunthorpe with him, but there is no Slade or Sole Power and we thought it was worth taking the chance.
"David says he has done a lot of work with him in the stalls and he expects him to be a bit quicker away than he was last time. I'm sure he'll be doing his best work at the finish and we'll see where it gets him. He got hit in the face last time when he was about to go by the winner, so hopefully that won't happen again."
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Luca Cumani believes he has Velox in prime condition for the Betfred Mile at Goodwood on Friday.
The four-year-old, with just eight career starts behind him, looked to be on the upgrade when storming to victory at Sandown four weeks ago and Cumani reports his preparation for this valuable handicap to have gone smoothly.
"He's in good form, he's got a workable draw (10) which will suit him and everything is in position for a good run. He's in excellent form, but obviously this is a very tough race and you need plenty of luck in running," said the Newmarket trainer.
George Baker's two runners have been dealt contrasting hands in the draw.
"We are drawn one (Belgian Bill) and 20 (Boomshackerlacker), so we have everything covered," he said.
Baker was bemused by Belgian Bill's uncharacteristic poor start in the International Handicap at Ascot last weekend when he lost all chance by being extremely slowly away.
"We are running Belgian Bill because he had no race at all last Saturday in the International. He just stood still in the stalls which was totally out of character. It's very confusing. I think he was just looking at something. He's such an inquisitive horse. Ryan Moore sensibly looked after him. He seems fresh and well at home," said the Manton handler.
"His next run after this will be in Turkey. We'll give him an entry in a couple of races there, so timing-wise it seemed wise to press the go button again. He's in good form.
"Boomshackerlacker ran a fine race in Vichy last Friday, second in a Listed race. He looked all over the winner until caught close home. Drawn 20 is very tough for him. We're just going to have to take our medicine, slot in and ride him for lots of luck."
Magic City is a three-time winner at the course and his trainer Richard Hannon is expecting a decent run.
"He has won here before and seems best on a turning track, and, though all his best form has been at seven furlongs, he got the mile well enough when second at Salisbury last time, and they pulled well clear of the third," the Marlborough handler told
www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
Heaven's Guest steps up to a mile after being campaigned at shorter distances to great effect, notably when winning the Bunbury Cup over seven furlongs at Newmarket three weeks ago.
The four-year-old makes a quick reappearance after finishing a close fourth in the International Handicap at Ascot to Heavy Metal, who is again in opposition, but trainer Richard Fahey feels it is a chance worth taking.
"He's had a busy enough time. There's talk about a bit of rain and that would help him. It's his first time trying a mile. He's off a mark 3lb lighter in this race than he should be and it will be interesting to see how he gets on," said the Malton handler.
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JP McManus claimed another significant landmark in an esteemed racing career when Thomas Edison gave the powerful owner a first victory in the Guinness Galway Hurdle.
The Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old disappointed in the race last summer in atrocious conditions, but having warmed up for a second bid with victory on the Flat at the Curragh, he was a 7-2 market leader on faster ground.
Thomas Edison galloped through the 250,000 euro contest with panache in the trusty hands of Tony McCoy and began to move into contention jumping the second flight from the finish.
He joined the front-running Fergal and the well-fancied Bayan rounding the home turn and the three were virtually in line at the top of the short straight.
However, Thomas Edison clearly had more to give than his rivals and after skipping over the final hurdle, he was pushed out to collect by three lengths.
Bayan ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot, with The Game Changer and Hisaabaat third and fourth respectively.
McManus said: "He was a bit slowly away but he got a great run around under Tony and got the run of the race.
"Thankfully it all worked out well. I've never won the Galway Hurdle before. It was on my to-do list so I'm delighted.
"I think Tony had the horse in tremendous form so well done to everyone connected with him."
McCoy, whose other Galway Hurdle victory came aboard the Aidan O-Brien-trained Toast the Spreece in 1997, said: "He was very professional.
"He jumped very well and he travelled very well.
"It's like any big handicap - you need a horse with a bit of class.
"He's probably got great confidence from winning on the Flat, it's helped him no end.
"It's a good day for the horse to get into a winning habit."
Martin said: "This has to compare right up there with my best wins ever.
"He's a horse I put my neck on the line with, I used to own part of him myself before he ever ran.
"We put him to a lot of people, saying that he was a good one and I'm so happy the right people got him and it worked out.
"I always thought he'd win a race like this or the Cesarewitch and hopefully he is half-way there."
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Lyn Valley and Rainbow Rock gave Mark Johnston a one-two in the Fairmont Handicap at Goodwood.
Joe Fanning brought Lyn Valley (14-1) through to pass the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned pair of Madeed and Insaany inside the furlong to give Johnston a sixth winner in this race. Rainbow Rock came from last place under 5lb claimer Cam Hardie to finish with a flourish and get to within half a length of the winner at the line. Madeed was another half a length away in third.
Fanning said: "He jumped and travelled well, but I never felt like I was going to win the race."
Johnston said of the winner: "This horse's sire Shamardal was probably the best I've ever had, although he was around the same time as Attraction. It's great to train his progeny and he's doing so well. It's exciting when you train a horse like that and he goes on to be a top stallion.
"It's great for the horse and the owner as he's been running well all season and the handicapper hasn't been dropping him so I'm pleased he's won a nice prize. Obviously Rainbow Rock was the unlucky horse of the race. Cam (Hardie, jockey) said a horse came across him at the start, he got checked lost a couple of lengths and just dropped himself out.
"I did wonder what was going on early on, but in hindsight he did a really great job. He said he just nursed him slowly back into it. He is in again on Saturday so he will get the chance then over two furlongs further."
Having landed the RIchmond Stakes earlier in the afternoon, Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes successfully teamed up again as Shagah built upon two solid appearances as 15-8 favourite for the EBF British Stallion Studs New Ham Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
"She's next year's filly but she's very nice," said Hannon.
"I suppose she'll have to go for a Group race, maybe something like the Rockfel or the Radley Stakes."
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Missunited (3-1 favourite) put up a brave performance to see off all-comers and land the Sterling Insurance Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood.
Michael Winters' admirable mare was rewarded for her fine third in the Ascot Gold Cup to land this Group Three prize 12 months on from her triumph in the Galway Hurdle.
Jim Crowley always had the seven-year-old up with the pace set by Nymphea before settling sailing for home fully three furlongs from home. The challengers came thick and fast in the closing stages but she would not be denied and kept on with gritty determination to win by half a length from Arabian Comet, with Waila just a head away.
Missunited was dismounted on the racecourse by Crowley, who said: "She pulled up a bit sore but is walking better now.
"She's unbelievably tough - one of the toughest horses I've ever ridden - but she was probably just feeling the ground there. She battled so well, she was never going to be passed. Fingers crossed she's OK."
Winters said Missunited is now likely to be retired.
He said: "I'd say that could be her finale now, we've seen the best from her. If you had a choice to finish up here, I think you'd pick it. She ran her heart out all the way to the line. It's fabulous and I suppose she's a horse of a lifetime.
"She is known by everyone in the National Hunt scene and now she's done it on the Flat as well.
"I'm not looking forward to putting her in foal, but her owners probably are."
Missunited was later found to have damaged a suspensory ligament in a leg.
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Ivawood easily brushed his rivals aside to take his 100 per cent record to three in the Qatar Bloodstock Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Richard Hannon's talented youngster burnt off the opposition as he followed up his victory in the July Stakes to notch a second Group Two.
Richard Hughes had the 2-5 shot smartly away and he was soon dictating affairs. A burst of speed over a furlong out took him a few lengths clear and he romped away to defeat the staying-on Louie De Palma by four and a half lengths. Jungle Cat was another neck away in third place.
Hughes said: "He's got everything, really. He looks like him (Toronado) and he stays like him. He's ahead of the other two-year-olds at the moment."
Hannon said: "It's nice to get one on the board as we've hit the crossbar a few times this week.
"We'll look at the Morny (Deauville) and the Dewhurst (Newmarket), races like that. We'll treat him as a Guineas horse and work back from there. He's got the speed for six (furlongs) and will get seven in time."
Trainer Clive Cox said of runner-up Louie De Palma: "The winner looks a very good horse and I'm very happy with that. He's done very well since his run at Ascot and that was a big step up. Today was the plan but hopefully he can pick something up later on."
