Horse Racing Tips: James Mackie's two to follow on Friday at Goodwood

15:00 Goodwood - Back Blue Brother 6/1 E/W 5 places

A 19-runner handicap with five places on offer always offers punters plenty of value across the field. From an each-way bet to nothing perspective I would be surprised to see Blue Brother not be able to fill the frame. 

Having looked a smart type in France, he first was seen in the UK when tackling the highly competitive Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot in 2025. But having gone off 13/27.50 he had a race to forget stumbling out of the stalls and hitting all types of traffic problems throughout.

Seen for the first time this year back at the scene of his last run at Royal Ascot in the 7f Buckingham Palace Stakes, the Wathnan Racing runner ran a corker off a mark of 98 having had so long off the track to finish a respectable fourth of 28.

Interestingly he went off joint favourite that day and goes here off the same mark with a run under his belt. If handling the track, he should be one for the shortlist in this type of event.

16:10 Goodwood - Jonquil 6/1 Win Only

The Conditions Stakes over 1m1f sees plenty of talented horses that are not quite good enough to mix it at the top leve.

Jonquil, who drops in grade, looks one of the likelier types to really show his true colours against lesser rivals.

As a three-year-old he looked like he would be a top talent for Andrew Balding having joined from Sir Michael Stoute. He went on to win the Guineas trial at Newbury in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes in taking style before heading over to France where he was a head second to the talented Henri Matisse in the French 2000 Guineas.

He lost his way slightly after that run but returned at Goodwood in August last year in the Group 2 Celebration Mile and got back to winning ways in gritty style, showing he handles the track well.

This season has not really gone to plan with a tame effort in the Abu Dhabi Gold Cup in February, but he did bounce back at Ascot when landing the Listed Paradise Stakes in nice fashion.

Stepped up to Group 1 company at Newbury in the Lockinge when only beating one home, he did very much the same in the Group 2 Summer Mile and really needs to bounce back on Friday.

However, he is in much calmer waters in this contest, is 1/1 at the track, and the Balding yard are going great guns this season - especially over the last two weeks - running at a 20% strike rate.

He is certainly one for the shortlist if giving his true running.

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