Glorious Goodwood day four tips with King George Stakes 1-2-3 and 15/2 winner

KERDOS (3.05) can kick up a storm in the Group Two King George Qatar Stakes on day four of Glorious Goodwood. The regular participant in top sprints tends to be just found out over five furlongs when the ground is fast. But murky skies over the Sussex Downs enhance his chances of upsetting the likes of Aussie ace Asfoora and second favourite Big Mojo.

My Clive Cox-trained selection has long looked as though headgear could give him a lift - and it is applied at a course he likes. Fifth two years on the trot, Kerdos was ridden closer to the pace in 2024, but his general run style is to make headway off a good gallop. Those tactics were in-play when he ran on for fifth in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot after playing up before the start. And if he can eke out a little more, the winner of the Group Two Temple Stakes of 2024 at Haydock on soft going won't be far away.

July Cup second Big Mojo is respected with course and distance form on his record - and he was coming back at the winner over six furlongs so a testing five might suit. The same comment applies to Time For Sandals, who showed a great attitude in the Commonwealth Cup to spring a surprise at double-figure odds.

KING GEORGE STAKES FIELD

1 Clarendon House

Very fast veteran with his own ideas about the game. Didn't fancy giving the Epsom Dash a go and unlikely to have the class for this if choosing to exit the stalls.

2 Jm Jungle

Earned a rating of 102 by showing remarkable consistency in some of the toughest sprint handicaps of the Flat season. His York conqueror American Affair proved handicappers can make the grade and John Quinn's runner should give his running.

3 Kerdos

Value selection in first-time cheekpieces. A regular date in Clive Cox's calendar, the older sprinter is having his third run in this after finishing fifth in the past two editions. But the ground is easier than when three places behind Asfoora most recently and does not have too much to find if the headgear helps.

4 Khaadem

Talented horse with plenty of spirit who landed this in 2022 and won on his only other run at the circuit. At Group One level last term but rain is a concern as prefers the top of the ground.

5 Manaccan

Below-par back from 773-day absence this summer. Yet to prove he retains any of his ability.

6 Night Raider

Chance depends on how he takes the preliminaries, as tends to use up too much energy before setting off at a fast pace. Went all guns blazing in the six-furlong July Cup and now reverts to the minimum trip. Not one for maximum faith.

7 Spartan Arrow

Fitted with blinkers, the five-year-old secured the Listed Hampton Listed Stakes. That was his best effort yet so he could surprise a few at each-way odds.

8 Time For Sandals

Did it the hard way when leading inside the final furlong of the Commonwealth Cup for a horse thought to be best dropping her head in right on the line. Chance depends on whether she can cope with a different set of circumstances this afternoon. Extra stamina should be a real help with the mud flying.

9 Asfoora

Another big target for the mare saddled by Australian handler Henry Dwyer. Second under 5lb penalty in this last year and has her chance again, but ground might blunt her finishing kick a little.

10 Big Mojo

Made plenty of use of when chasing outsider No Half Measures to the finish in the July Cup at Newmarket. The course and distance winner here in the Molecomb Stakes was rallying at the line. If over his exertions, can play a hand in the finish.

11 Frost At Dawn

Solid profile; just denied in the King Charles III Stakes. Wouldn't want too much moisture in the playing surface.

12 She's Quality

On a hat-trick of second places in Group company and will need to pull out more for first.

13 Town And Country

Rises in grade a start on from charging through for the Scurry Stakes at Sandown. Only rated 99, which is the lowest of the lot.

The Scout's King George Stakes top three

1 Kerdos 2 Time For Sandals 3 Big Mojo

REST OF TODAY'S GOODWOOD CARD

Believe in ALIGN THE STARS (1.20) to repeat last year's win at the meeting in the 2m 4f Coral Goodwood Handicap. A year ago Charlie Johnston's thorough stayer wrapped up a treble by sticking his neck out for Joe Fanning to beat 12 others.

The game display from the then 99-rated gelding was recorded in a class two race over 1m6f on a good to firm surface. A full-brother to multiple Group-race winner Al Aasy, Align The Stars found life harder when the handicapper applied more pressure.

But he got closest to regaining the winning thread when beaten less than three lengths in the Ascot Stakes tackling an almost identical distance to what he faces today. A straightforward type, the flip start should not faze him and the race set-up suggests jockey Christophe Soumillon will have a chance of racing solo up front.

COSMIC YEAR (1.55) is fancied to continue the astrology-related theme in the Group Three Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes. Kingman's son has more speed than his close relation Time Test, a Group Two and Three scorer for trainer Harry Charlton.

My selection's future entries are over no further than a mile and his Irish 2,000 Guineas second to Field Of Gold is the best form on offer - and the course should really suit too. The ground is coming right for King Of Cities, who stays further, having been runner-up at Newmarket in April over nine furlongs, so it is possible Ryan Moore will be tempted to kick on early to stretch the field.

Diego Ventura isn't out of it either, as he has plenty of experience on going slower than good. REAL GAIN (2.30, nap) is a fascinating addition to the £150,000 Coral Golden Mile, running in the heritage handicap on seasonal debut.

Clearly not the easiest to train, making just eight appearances across three seasons, the five-year-old has not been seen since finishing ninth in the 1m2f Coral Chesterfield Cup at this fixture 12 months ago. The Wathnan Racing-owned runner gave himself little chance of seeing out 1m2f by fighting his rider James Doyle.

But if he has settled down a little, being a year older, there is no doubt he is on a decent weight if in the same mood as when he extended away by five-and-a-half lengths in a Newmarket handicap in September 2023. Another with a lightly-raced profile, SOCIALITE (3.45), is predicted to edge a tight race for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes.

The Charlie Hills trainee has every chance of seizing the initiative based on a weak pace forecast and he has experience of the ups and downs of the West Sussex track.

TRY STORM CAT (4.20) should be suited by a bit of give in the ground and has progressed with each run for the Johnston team. Each-way pick GRECIAN LEGACY (4.55) is not as smartly bred as a few in the Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap.

However he is the only course scorer here and was a bit unlucky to be reeled in late by War Hawk at Epsom on his penultimate run, when the pair were clear.

THE SCOUT'S GOODWOOD TIPS

1.20 Align The Stars

1.55 Cosmic Year

2.30 Real Gain (Nap)

3.05 Kerdos

3.45 Socialite

4.20 Try Storm Cat

4.55 Grecian Legacy