Through The Card: Goodwood, Tuesday 30 July

13:50 - A typically competitive handicap to start the meeting off and with thundery showers forecast this morning, it looks worth siding with horses that have form on good ground or softer. SETTING SAIL (2) won a maiden on soft ground over C&D back in 2017 and has been running consistently well. His second last time in an ultra-competitive York handicap was a good effort considering the leader got first run and the ground was probably a bit lively for him that day. A repeat of that effort will see him go close, with Aquarium and Beringer topping the shortlist. Bless Him is another to consider with his latest runs suggesting an attempt at this trip is worth a go.

14:25 - It looks a very high quality renewal of the Vintage Stakes this year with it hard to rule any out with much confidence. Pinatubo sets the standard from his track-record breaking performance in the Chesham but he didn't look to handle Epsom and the track might be a worry here. He had Lope Y Fernandez in behind that day and he looks to have work to do to reverse the form, although softer ground could help his cause. VISINARI (7) created an enormous impression, both visually and on the clock on his debut at Newmarket and was only headed close home last time in the July Stakes. He will improve for the extra furlong here and can be the one to take this.

15:00 - ZAAKI (8) brings the strongest form into the race from last time when edged out of the summer mile by the ill-fated Beat The Bank, who was a proven Group 1 performer. This strong travelling type won't be inconvenienced by the drop back in trip here and has taken his form to a new level this season since he was gelded and is the one to beat. He should get a good tow into the race from Hey Gaman, who can pose the biggest challenge.

15:35 - The feature of the first day is the Goodwood cup with STRADIVARIUS (5) looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in the race. He took this last year on his way to winning the lucrative Weatherby's Hamilton £1million bonus and is attempting to repeat that this year. He took the Ascot Gold Cup last time from the re-opposing Cross Counter and Dee Ex Bee (they finished second and third behind him respectively) and can see them off again today. His biggest threat may come from Cross Counter back at two miles.

16:10 - A number of powerful yards are represented in this minor event and unless market vibes are strong for one of the newcomers, the form horses look the most solid selections. COBRA EYE (3) looks to go one better than on debut when making late headway after taking a while to get the hang of things and can do so here. His last few furlongs caught the eye on the clock and with that under his belt, he can progress here and take this valuable contest.

16:45 - A competitive sprint handicap where luck in running is going to be needed for a few, with MAYGOLD (11) at the top of that list. She's progressed through the handicap ranks and takes on his toughest test yet, but her last performance suggests she is still improving. On soft ground at Salisbury, he benefitted from a hold-up ride to comfortably pull away from the rest of the field in the final furlong. His best form is at five furlongs and with the presence of plenty of horses that like to force the pace, similar tactics can be deployed here with the champion jockey up.

17:15 - Forgiven her effort in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, LAYALEENA (8) looks to have an excellent chance of regaining the winning thread here. The form of her win at Nottingham on her penultimate start couldn't have worked out much better with the third that day winning a listed race last week (now rated 112p). She now drops back into a Class 3, the class she won in at Nottingham and given her stable is in hot form, she can take all the beating here. Salayel poses the biggest threat on her second start in the UK.