Goodwood Festival Tuesday Tips – Dan James Racing

All eyes are on Illinois as he bids to land the prestigious Goodwood Cup, a Group 1 contest run over two miles. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, this regally bred son of Galileo has shaped like a stayer of the highest class, finishing a close second in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and previously storming to victory in the Chester Vase.

Illinois’s smooth, ground-eating stride and relentless gallop suggest the extended trip at Goodwood will suit him perfectly. With Ryan Moore in the saddle, tactical nous and race positioning will be key, especially given Goodwood’s undulating track and tight turns. Facing older stayers, Illinois must prove himself against seasoned campaigners, but his form, pedigree, and progression make him a leading contender. Victory here could propel him to the forefront of the staying division for the remainder of the season.

Jonquil is set to take centre-stage in Tuesday’s Lennox Stakes, a Group 2 contest over seven furlongs at Goodwood. The three-year-old colt, trained by Andrew Balding for Juddmonte, boasts two wins from four starts most notably the Greenham Stakes at Newbury his first outing for Balding following a winter switch from Sir Michael Stoute.

Stepping back up to seven furlongs after a fast-run Commonwealth Cup effort over six, Balding is confident the return to this distance will suit Jonquil’s strong, sustained finish. In a competitive 17‑runner field including dual winner Kinross, last year’s champion Audience, and other leading juveniles, Jonquil will face her age group against older rivals. With a smart turn of foot, ideal weight allowance as a three-year-old, and a well-balanced profile, Jonquil is among the leading contenders for the 3:00 PM highlight.

Shagraan, a seasoned four-year-old sprinter trained by Michael Appleby and to be ridden by Tom Marquand, stands out as the top bet for this race. A confirmed course and distance winner at Goodwood, he produced a career best at Haydock last season before a flattered run in the Portland, making that effort forgivable. Now returning with a solid profile and consistency at a Class 2 level, he’s expected to be in the shake up from the front.