July 29 / 15.35 Goodwood

15.35

Good To Firm

King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £170130
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
ITV
View Course
King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 18-381 C

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won the Stewards' Cup here in 2019, taking record to 4-7; strike-rate of just 2-15 since but beat Existent in the Palace House at Newmarket (good) on last proper start; subsequently declared a non-runner in the King's Stand (reared then left the stalls riderless); capable of being involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(13)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Khaadem

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Won the 6f Group 1 at Royal Ascot in 2023 and 2024 and added 5.5f Grade 2 win at Keeneland last October; however, this 10yo wasn't at his best at Meydan in March on his sole run this year, and the drop back to 5f and the forecast slow ground are likely negatives.

33/1

10th

4

(10)

1st Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Khaadem

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charles Hills

Best on good or quicker; his trainer has done so well to keep him to such a high level over the years and he's 2-2 here (including this race in 2022) as well as winning two Group 1s at Royal Ascot, the latest only last June; however, yesterday's rain won't have been welcomed.

20/1

5

(9)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:57 Newbury

Khaadem

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charles Hills

C&D winner; two Group 1 wins at Royal Ascot (2023 and 2024; both 6f, good to firm); not far off his best when second in a Grade 2 in America last September; returns from 315 days off though and whether he'll retain all his ability as a 9yo is a moot point.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -51211 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive sprinter who beat Mitbaahy by a neck in the Coral Charge at Sandown (good to firm; first Group attempt) most recently, making it eight wins from his last ten starts and taking record under James Doyle to 5-6; he's 9-12 on turf overall and 2-2 at Goodwood (both handicap wins); brings impressive stats and excellent credentials for this next step up the ladder; strongly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

23rd Sep 2023

Heavy

0m 5f 34y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Raasel

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Michael Appleby

Tough sprinter who looks better than ever this season; cracking effort to win a Haydock handicap (5f, good) a fortnight ago and he bumped into a rapid improver at Doncaster on Saturday; effective on very soft ground and should make another bold bid.

9/4

2nd

2

(1)

17th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 1

16:10 Doncaster

Raasel

9st 13lb

J: William Buick

T: Michael Appleby

Solid form in Group races this year, notably his Goodwood third, and better than ever with his mighty weight-carrying effort in a good Haydock handicap last week; stayed on strongly off a good pace on that occasion to win with something to spare (good Topspeed figure); fully effective on soft and he's the one to beat on ratings; solid contender.

11/8

1st

1

(3)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Haydock

Raasel

10st 0lb

J: James Doyle

T: Michael Appleby

Yet to win in 2023 but not for a lack of effort, regularly acquitting himself with credit in top sprints; near his best when third in a Group 2 at Goodwood five weeks ago and that form looks rock solid; going back up 6lb does leave him with something to find on this year's handicap runs though.

7/1

3rd
9 (2)
Caturra

16/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 5-2538 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won last year's Flying Childers; has some respectable form this season, without showing any further progress; creditable third to Mitbaahy at Sandown two starts ago but posted a lesser effort at York latest; chance largely depends on how well he takes to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

8

(1)

11th Sep 2022

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

14:25 Curragh

Caturra

9st 5lb

J: Adam Kirby

T: Clive Cox

raced far side, towards rear, pushed along and switched left towards near side halfway, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous

20/1

3rd

9

(2)

29th Jul 2022

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Caturra

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Clive Cox

in touch with leaders up the centre, towards far side when shaken up 2f out, ridden final furlong, ran on

16/1

13/2

Form: 67-219 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism in similar event at Meydan (good) in February, beating Acklam Express and registering his third Group win; however, finished behind that rival and Equilateral in the King's Stand on return from four-month absence; needs to step up on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

12/1

Form: 635-10 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Trained in the Czech Republic; better than ever in Group 3 at Longchamp (good to soft) in May, making all under Frankie Dettori; has possibilities on that form but was comfortably held (behind several of these opponents) in the King's Stand next time; not sure what to expect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: -24615 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
All wins in small fields, the most recent at Beverley (good to firm; penultimate start) where he made all to beat two rivals; close second to Raasel in ten-runner handicap over C&D in April but has proved less reliable than that opponent since; bit to prove in this tougher scenario.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 2

16:38 Southwell (AW)

Clarendon House

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Robert Cowell

High-class sprinter on turf and AW; his two C&D wins have both been mighty performances and there is no doubt he has the raw ability to give the weight away to today's opponents; sadly he has become a nightmare at the start, refusing to race in three of his last five runs; can't be supported with confidence; stable run four here.

16/1

1

(7)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 2

20:45 Southwell (AW)

Clarendon House

9st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Robert Cowell

High-class sprinter on his day and he has tasted defeat in just one of his four runs on AW; fine effort to beat Marshman in a Listed race here in February and third in a Newmarket Group 3 next time; no doubt he has the ability to win a race of this nature but he is increasingly troublesome at the start and he has refused to race twice this summer; capable but too much risk attached to recommend.

10/1

Form: 0-2743 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Readily won 5f nursery at this meeting in 2020; beaten by Lazuli at Meydan early this year but reversed those placings in the King's Stand (good to firm) last month, outrunning his 200-1 odds; that was no fluke as he ran to a similar level in the 2021 Al Quoz Sprint; likely player if he's in the same form again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(8)

31st Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

14:47 Lingfield (AW)

Acklam Express

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Clive Cox

Ended losing run at Salisbury in June and he has not run badly on his last three AW starts, third of eight at Southwell 11 days ago (cheekpieces first time, retained); has done the bulk of his racing over 5f but the best effort of his career came when a close third in a Meydan Group 1 over this trip; contender.

6/1

8th

1

(8)

31st Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

14:47 Lingfield (AW)

Acklam Express

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Clive Cox

taken down early

6/1

3rd

6

(4)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

12:32 Southwell (AW)

Acklam Express

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Clive Cox

in touch with leaders, headway over 1f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, no extra inside final 110yds

8/1

11/2

Form: 14-563 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Ties in with Acklam Express on a few pieces of form, including reappearance effort in the King's Stand; beaten just 2l at Sandown (race won by Raasel) next time despite having no luck, then ran respectably at the Curragh; won Group 2 at Meydan in early 2021; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

16/1

Form: 562504 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Record of 2-5 on AW compared to just 1-12 on turf; ran creditably at Newmarket (second to Khaadem) in April and Sandown (fourth to Raasel; good to firm) on latest outing but isn't certain to repeat the same level; inconsistent (form figures 62504) on grass this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

(9)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Existent

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Stuart Williams

Ended a lengthy losing run at Southwell in January and posted a respectable effort at Newmarket (5f, good) last month; however, he was down the field at Ascot (5f, good to firm) 12 days ago and is now just 1-46 on turf; others preferred.

20/1

14th

15

(16)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Ascot

Existent

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Stuart Williams

Ended a lengthy losing run at Southwell in January and he is just 1lb higher today; solid effort at Newmarket 17 days ago when not ideally positioned; each-way claims at a track where he has run well in much better races than this one.

12/1

4th

8

(6)

14th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Newmarket

Existent

8st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Stuart Williams

Close call in a Group 3 here in 2022 and deserves so much better than his very modest turf strike-rate, given how many fine races he continues to run in defeat, such as when going down narrowly to both Rosario and Regal Envoy on different 5f runs (good and good to firm) last May; some cold comfort that he won on AW in January but tough to support for the win.

10/1

OUR TIP
10th
10 (4)
Mitbaahy

4/1

Form: 0-2112 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Improving 3yo who scored at Hamilton in May and Sandown (Scurry Stakes) in June, then finished only a neck behind Raasel in the Coral Charge (good to firm) where he got trapped for room and met some trouble before finishing well (might well have won with better fortune); has no experience of Goodwood, unlike Raasel, but looks set for a riveting rematch all the same; huge player provided he takes well to the course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

13:50 Doncaster

Mitbaahy

9st 10lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charles Hills

Pounced late under Jamie Spencer to snatch Curragh Group 2 (6f, good) in May 2024, but has raced only three times since, last seen finishing a respectable second in AW Listed event at Lingfield in February 2025; others carry fewer risks but he's no forlorn hope if ready to roll after 419 days off.

12/1

2nd

5

(4)

2nd Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 1

14:37 Lingfield (AW)

Mitbaahy

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charles Hills

Record of 6-22 on turf includes Listed/Group wins, the most recent under a textbook Jamie Spencer ride at the Curragh (6f) last May; had wind/gelding operations since last run; major contender, provided he takes to AW and reproduces best form.

3/1

2nd

5

(4)

2nd Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 1

14:37 Lingfield (AW)

Mitbaahy

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charles Hills

Record of 6-22 on turf includes Listed/Group wins, the most recent under a textbook Jamie Spencer ride at the Curragh (6f) last May; had wind/gelding operations since last run; major contender, provided he takes to AW and reproduces best form.

3/1

11th
11 (11)
Vertiginous

40/1

Form: 4217-0 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Sole 2yo success came in Listed event at Ayr where she beat Mitbaahy; however, that rival has progressed well since and has no question mark over his current form, whereas this filly failed to beat a rival (in the Sandy Lane) on sole run this season; not solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(1)

21st Oct 2022

Standard

0m 5f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Vertiginous

9st 11lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Jack W Davison

prominent, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and weakened from 1f out

20/1

1

(14)

17th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Vertiginous

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Brian Meehan

5f 2yo Listed winner last September and today's task is more realistic than the Group 2s she's contested on her two starts this season; however, she's been well beaten each time and has something to prove; blinkers go on.

11/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.60
Straight Forecast £32.15
Tricast £532.38
Trifecta £579.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Raasel

TOPSPEED:

Acklam Express

Daily Mirror:

Mitbaahy

LAMBOURN:

Khaadem

The Times:

Vertiginous

Daily Express:

Lazuli

Telegraph:

Equilateral

Daily Record:

Mitbaahy

POSTDATA:

Acklam Express

The Star:

Acklam Express

RP Ratings:

Raasel

Daily Mail:

Raasel

The Sun:

Raasel

The Guardian:

Khaadem