Day 3 of the Goodwood festival and it’s the fillies and mares taking centre stage with the highlight on the card being the Group 1 Nassau Stakes.

13.45 1m 2f Handicap (Class 2) Paying Extra Place 1-2-3-4

Mark Johnston is often the trainer to follow at Goodwood and his runners are worthy of particular attention in this race with him being responsible for the winner in three of the last seven years.

He saddles 2 on this occasion and whilst Iffraaz has each-way claims and is entitled to improve for his seasonal reappearance it’s the stable’s other runner who makes more appeal.

Zabeel Champion has won both his starts this season including a competitive class 2 handicap at Newmarket last time out. He has been hit with an 8lb rise for that win but looks the type to keep progressing and is the type who only does what is required.

Al Salt, Magnetised and Magical Morning are a trio of handicap debutants representing top connections who should all have more to offer.

Selection: Zabeel Champion (NB)

14.15 6f Richmond Stakes (Group 2)

The William Haggas trained Yazaman is likely to go off favourite here in his bid to better his two second-place finishes recently. He only found the same horse Tactical to strong for him and brings the best form to the race based on that Newmarket run last time.

Qaader went off as favourite in that event but looked to a do bit too much on the front end and faded out of things late on. Prior to that, he was a good second at Royal Ascot and if returning to that level once more there should be little between the pair.

Admiral Nelson was a disappointing favourite at Royal Ascot after missing the break. The Aidan O’Brien runner needs to bounce back from that but it’s interesting connections bring him over once more and the impressive maiden winner has to be respected.

Clive Cox trained the winner of this last year and looks to have another strong contender with Supremacy. He looked to need his debut experience but stepped up massively on that effort to win comfortably at Windsor last time.

This warrants another step forward but won with plenty to spare that day and connections clearly know what is needed to win this prize.  Gussy Mac won a listed event at Sandown last time but needs to improve again in this stronger contest.

Selection: Supremacy

14.45 1m 4f Gordon Stakes (Group 3)

Despite just the six runners, this is a really interesting renewal this year. English King was sent off favourite for the Derby but was not suited by how the race played out that day.

He is expected to have the measure of the re-opposing Mogul and Khalifa Set on this occasion though, with the smaller field and this different test expected to be more to his liking.

He does, however, face a tough opponent in the shape of Al Aasy who arrives here unbeaten on his last 2 starts. He was an impressive winner last time out over a slightly longer trip than this in a Group 3 at Newmarket and whilst he does have to carry a penalty for that victory the manner of success suggests there is plenty more to come from this Sea The Stars colt.

Subjectivist looks the likely pace to the race in what could be another tactically run affair. Joe Fanning made all at Hamilton to win a listed race last time out and will probably be looking to adopt similar tactics on this occasion. He has a bit to find still on that form against these but would be a danger to all if getting an easy time early.

Selection: Al Aaasy

15.15 1m 2f Nassau Stakes (Group 1)

The feature on day three sees the lightly raced 3-year-old Fancy Blue take on some established group performers from the older division. The filly receives a handy weight allowance from her main rivals and with only the three runs to date looks to have plenty more progression in her still.

She stayed on well to finish second in the Irish 1000 to suggest this step up in trip will be much more to her liking and that’s also backed up by her middle-distance pedigree.

Last years winner Deidre heads the dangers, her recent run at Sandown suggests should have put her spot on for this and this solid group 1 performer warrants serious respect once more.

The John Gosden trained Nazeef is a winner of 6 of her 7 career starts to date included Royal Ascot success this season. Her form has all come at a mile though so has to prove herself once more over this extra 2f.

Selection: Fancy Blue (NAP)

15.45 7f Nursery Handicap (Class 2)

A tricky looking handicap with plenty of these 2-year olds expected to show more improvement now stepping into handicap company. William Bligh will be towards the head of the market and looks to have good claims for the inform Ralph Beckett team.

As mentioned, Mark Johnston runners always have to be respected in these types of race here at Goodwood and he runs 2 again in the shape of Codebook and Monza City. The latter ran well enough at Newmarket recently despite finishing last of 5 to suggest this kind of handicap rating should see her be competitive.

The second and fifth from that race have subsequently come out to win on their next starts giving the form a solid look and she makes plenty of appeal at what looks a fair price.

Selection:  Monza City (Each Way)

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