Glorious Goodwood Day 3 Tips: Mark Milligan's three to follow include 3/1 shot in the Nassau Stakes

Richmond Stakes, Goodwood, 14:25 - Back Flann Sunna @ 6/42.50

4 (10)

Flann Sunna (Ire)

• J: William Buick
• T: Simon & Ed Crisford
• F: 11

• SBK 11/8
• EXC 2.8

I'm really keen on Simon & Ed Crisford's juvenile Flann Sunna in the Richmond Stakes and for me he's just about my strongest fancy of the entire week.

The son of Blue Point created a big impression when winning a maiden at Windsor on debut, pulling clear of a subsequent winner in the final furlong. On the back of that he went to Ascot to contest a conditions contest, and he was arguably even more impressive as he once again showed a sharp turn of foot to settle matters late on.

While the final time was nothing special, the sectionals tell us a different story, with Timeform suggesting he was worth plenty more on top of his bare timefigure and there should still be further improvement to come.

By Group 2 standards, this doesn't look an overly strong race and a reproduction of that Ascot form would probably be enough for Flann Sunna to get the job done.

Gordon Stakes, Goodwood, 15:00 - Back Enceladus @ 11/43.75

3 (6)

Enceladus (Ire)

• J: D. B. McMonagle
• T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland
• F: 33-11

• SBK 9/4
• EXC 3.5

The Group 3 Gordon Stakes is probably the first strong St Leger trial of the summer, and it looks likely to provide a fascinating clash between a runner that brings established Classic form to the table against a handicapper who looks very progressive and is stepping up in class.

A good case can be made for Bay Of Brilliance, who finished a narrow second to subsequent Group 1 winner Maltese Cross in the Lingfield Derby Trial before finishing fourth at Epsom, though his blowout in the German Derby last time does leave him with something of a question mark.

I prefer to side with the progressive handicapper Enceladus, who won a strong renewal of the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and is very much bred to be a top-notch performer, being by Sea The Stars out of a mare who was a solid Graded Stakes performer in the USA (placed three times at the top level).

Unbeaten in two starts this season, there's a strong feeling that we still haven't seen the best of Joseph O'Brien's charge and he can book his ticket to Doncaster with a win here.

Nassau Stakes, Goodwood, 15:35 - Back Friendly Soul @ 3/14.00

1 (5)

Friendly Soul

• J: William Buick
• T: John & Thady Gosden
• F: 17111/P3

• SBK 5/2
• EXC 3.7

The unbeaten Diamond Necklace is all the rage in the betting for the Thursday highlight, the Group 1 Nassau Stakes, and she's bound to make a bold bid to retain her unblemished record. However, a case can be made that the three-year-old fillies are not that deep a bunch this year and she did have to work very had to win what looked just an average renewal of the French Oaks last time.

While she's strictly the one to beat, I'm going to take her on with Friendly Soul, who I believe is as good as ever despite things having not gone right so far this season.

John & Thady Gosden's mare was an absolute star in 2024 before a setback saw her miss the whole of last season.

She had an unfortunate return when stepping in the drainage hole that has wreaked havoc with Haydock's season, while last time at Royal Ascot she suffered trouble in-running over a one-mile distance that is short of her best.

Friendly Soul was much better than the bare result in finishing third there and I'm hopeful she can prove that with a win here.

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