The opener at Beverley on Sunday is the only contest on ITV Racing’s seven-race schedule to attract a double-figure field and punters could get away to a flier if the veteran Broctune Red (2.05) can return from a three-month break in similar form to his close second at Thirsk in May.
Gillian Boanas’s seven-year-old has run well fresh in the past and is admirably consistent, with seven wins and 15 placed efforts from his 45 career starts.
One of several in the field with a track-and-trip win to his name, Broctune Red ran right up to his best on his last start, is back below his most recent winning mark and Kevin Stott, successful on his only previous ride on the gelding, is back in the saddle on Sunday.
Goodwood 1.50 Many A Star is up just 2lb for his win at the Festival meeting last month, when he got the better of The Lamplighter by a head late on, and has an obvious chance to follow up.
Goodwood 2.25 Probably the only seller that will make it on to terrestrial television this year, with Just A Tad looking likely to take advantage of the drop in grade if she can bounce back from a disappointing run last time.
Beverley 2.40 Captain Kane has an impressive strike rate with six wins from nine starts in 2022 and produced a fresh career-best to win at Yarmouth a week ago with something to spare. A 6lb penalty takes his burden to 10st 1lb but he had enough in hand there to suggest he can defy it.
Goodwood 3.00 Falling Shadow has run with credit on his two starts in handicaps so far and the race at Newmarket earlier this month in which he finished second looks like strong form. He is 6lb higher here but may not need to find much more progress to get his second career win on the board.
Beverley 3.15 Nursery handicaps can be a treacherous betting medium at the best of times and this looks typically opaque, with all of the runners going to post with at least one piece of form to give their backers some hope. With Russet Gold a non-runner, Michael Dods’s Tatterstall could be worth backing to return to the form when second over course and distance in early July.
Goodwood 3.35 Double Or Bubble is admirably consistent and has run as well as could be expected in Group One company on her last two starts. This is a big drop in grade which should be enough to see her return to winning form.