Urban Fox on the prowl for glory at Goodwood

NASSAU STAKES: PRETTY POLLY VICTOR CAN FOLLOW UP FOR HAGGAS

Sabre should cut it over longer trip.

Urban Fox was a surprise winner at the Curragh on her most recent start, but it certainly would not be a shock if she were to follow up in today’s Qatar Nassau Stakes, the feature event on day three at the Glorious Goodwood meeting.

The four-year-old began her career with James Tate, showing plenty of potential in 15 starts for that trainer, but following her sale for 425,000 guineas last year Urban Fox is now with William Haggas.

She wasted little time in a repaying a chunk of that sale price, winning a decent Ascot handicap on her return in May before rolling on to finish fourth in the Duke of Cambridge at the Royal Ascot meeting.

However, Urban Fox posted a career high when landing the Pretty Polly Stakes last time, beating subsequent Irish Oaks second Forever Together by a comfortable 3.25 lengths.

That did not appear to be the toughest Group 1 race on paper, but Urban Fox asserted her authority and this is an ideal opportunity to prove that victory was no fluke.

Sabre fell slightly short at Royal Ascot but is worth another shot stepped up to 1200m in the Qatar Richmond Stakes.

He was successful over 1000m on his initial outing but then came unstuck in the National Stakes before a tardy start saw him also edged out in the Windsor Castle.

The way he stayed on that day suggested a step up in trip might be the next logical step and he can GLORIOUS. Stradivarius and jockey Andrea Atzeni get the better of Torcedor and Colm O’Donahue in the Group 1 Qatar Goodwood Cup Stakes at this week’s Glorious Goodwood festival. The four-year-old son of Sea The Stars, trained by John Gosden, is on track to collect the inaugural WH Stayers’ Million, a £1-million bonus for winning Britain’s three premier endurance races – the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup, which will be run at York on August 17.

seize the opportunity today.

Precious Ramotswe can reverse recent Haydock form with God Given in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.

The pair were third and second respectively behind Horseplay in the Lancashire Oaks, with 1.75 lengths separating them.

Precious Ramotswe perhaps found the good to firm ground a bit on the fast side that day, so the recent rain is a definite plus for her, as is stepping back up in trip as she appears to have plenty of stamina.

Those two factors can help her gain the day over her old rival.

Rock Eagle catches the eye in the opening Matchbook Best Value Exchange Handicap.

Winner of two of his three starts to date, Ralph Beckett’s charge showed his class when triumphing off an unsuitably slow pace in a novice heat at Windsor last time.

While that might not have been the best event, Rock Eagle won with a degree of authority and should not find pace lacking here.

Arigato can follow up his Sandown victory of last week in the Smarkets Betting Exchange Handicap at Epsom.

William Jarvis' charge was a

six-length victor after making all last Thursday and is sure to go up more than the 3kg penalty he shoulders here once reassessed.

The Guinness Galway Hurdle is the showpiece event on day four at Ballybrit and Voix Du Reve should have every chance for Willie Mullins.

He had been a bit disappointing before getting off the mark at Killarney in May, but that victory clearly did him the world of good as he followed up with a widemargin success at Bellewstown at the beginning of July. Voix Du Reve looks just the right type for Galway. –