August 02 / 15.35 Goodwood

15.35

Good To Firm

King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £179770.7
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
ITV
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King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 011-13 CD BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Versatile ground-wise; very productive and speedy colt whose 2yo campaign culminated in Breeders' Cup win; defied top weight in Listed grade on reappearance, then creditable third in the Royal Ascot event won by Asfoora; this return to a sharper 5f looks ideal, indeed he made all in the Molecomb at this meeting 12 months ago; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(14)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Big Evs

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Tough-hearted sprinter; more than a match for most 5f sprinters, whatever the place or ground, although speed is his weapon and he found less than Asfoora in the King Charles III at Ascot in June before gaining his revenge at Goodwood, where Asfoora ran under a penalty; slight query about whether this is absolutely his track, having run poorly in this last year and been just workmanlike against lesser rivals on return; otherwise hard to fault.

9/2

1st

9

(7)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Big Evs

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Versatile ground-wise; very productive and speedy colt whose 2yo campaign culminated in Breeders' Cup win; defied top weight in Listed grade on reappearance, then creditable third in the Royal Ascot event won by Asfoora; this return to a sharper 5f looks ideal, indeed he made all in the Molecomb at this meeting 12 months ago; respected.

11/4

3rd

12

(6)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Ascot

Big Evs

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Mostly leads; handles all ground; had one off day as a 2yo, against the older sprinters at York, but otherwise carried all before him over 5f after his debut, his rivals not detaining him for long in the Windsor Castle here and he won two Group races before hanging on for a Grade 1 success in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint; did all that was asked against inferior rivals on York comeback but now needs to prove his mettle back against all ages.

7/2

2nd
3 (10)
Asfoora

100/30

  • Place: £1.50

Form: -20441 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Australian mare who ran below best in the Temple Stakes at Haydock (soft) on first British outing; beat several of these opponents at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) since, recording her first success at the top level; major contender even with a 5lb penalty, provided she remains in peak form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(5)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Asfoora

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Lemos De Souza

Carries a 5lb penalty today and she was down the field on her comeback at Newmarket three weeks ago; however, she may have needed that run and is entitled to respect having won two 5f Group 1s last season, namely the Nunthorpe at York (good to firm) and the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp (very soft).

6/1

10th

1

(11)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Asfoora

9st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Lemos De Souza

Superb Australian 7yo who has had a career to be proud of, with multiple wins in home country and Europe, laying down the law in the Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot in 2024 and adding further top-level wins in the Nunthorpe (good to firm) at York and the Abbaye (very soft) at Longchamp in 2025; has stayed in Britain over the winter but connections expect her to improve for the run and that the stiff uphill finish will test her.

5/1

7th

9

(1)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Asfoora

9st 3lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Henry Dwyer

Top-class Australian mare, highly durable, winner of 11 of her 27 races; landed the Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot last year; could only dead-heat for fifth in this season's edition and was well below best at Goodwood (She's Quality, second); returned to form with a vengeance when taking the Nunthorpe in emphatic; sets the standard; two wins on soft in 2023.

7/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: -91441 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Has won on soft, peak form on good/faster; finished fourth in the two Group 1 sprints at Royal Ascot, then justified favouritism at the Curragh (5f) dropped back to this grade last time; remains less exposed at the minimum distance than over further; could well rate higher still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(11)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Believing

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

In foal to Frankel; sold to new owners for 3,000,000gns last December and broke her Group 1 duck with Meydan success (6f) on reappearance; didn't live up to market expectations returned to 5f at Royal Ascot, albeit not ideally drawn; normally consistent and made the frame in several top sprints prior to her Dubai performance; likely to rebound.

9/1

14

(1)

17th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Believing

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

Very reliable mare who stood a tough 2024 season with fortitude, regularly on the premises in the top sprints, including when fourth, having every chance, in this one (the first of two runs at the meeting); she achieved more when going down only narrowly from a poor draw in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (5f, good to firm) in August; sold for 3,000,000gns in December; returned to action with a Group 1 win at Meydan (6f) in April and she looks set for another big run at the top level.

9/2

2nd

13

(1)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Believing

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

raced far side, midfield, headway inside final furlong, went second inside final 110yds, ran on well towards finish

7/2

10/1

Form: 44-254 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Close second to Kerdos in the Temple Stakes at Haydock (soft) on seasonal debut; lesser efforts in races won by Believing and Makarova since, last time under change of tactics (normally a front-runner); peak performance remains his win in last year's Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (good to firm).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(9)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Live In The Dream

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Adam West

Close second to Kerdos in the Temple Stakes at Haydock (soft) on seasonal debut; lesser efforts in races won by Believing and Makarova since, last time under change of tactics (normally a front-runner); peak performance remains his win in last year's Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (good to firm).

10/1

4th

5

(9)

6th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Live In The Dream

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Adam West

Front-runner who enjoyed an excellent campaign last year, the highlight his Group 1 Nunthorpe win at York (5f, good to firm); not quite at his best yet this season, but a close second in the Group 2 Temple at Haydock (5f, soft) was no disgrace and he stumbled leaving the stalls when a beaten favourite last time; tops the ratings and commands major respect.

2/1

OUR TIP

14/1

Form: 8-8515 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Never-nearer fifth in this race last year; ran respectably in the 5f Group 1 at Royal Ascot most recently but finished behind a few of these rivals and now carries a 3lb penalty for his Temple Stakes win at Haydock (on soft ground) the time before; doesn't look the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:26 Naas

Kerdos

9st 9lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Classy sprinter for Clive Cox and won a Listed and a Group 2 for that yard; decent run on debut for this yard at Dundalk before disappointing in Cork Listed race next time on soft; much better over C&D last time when a 2.75l sixth behind Mission Central.

14/1

6th

8

(1)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Naas

Kerdos

9st 9lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Classy sprinter for Clive Cox and won a Listed and a Group 2 for that yard; decent run on debut for this stable at Dundalk in February, but behind a few of these when tailed off at Cork last time; needs to leave that well behind.

25/1

9th

4

(2)

4th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

16:02 Cork

Kerdos

9st 9lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Hasn't won since taking the Group 2 Temple Stakes in 2024 when with Clive Cox; posted a reasonable debut run for this yard at Dundalk and this ground will suit but needs a return to his best to score.

16/1

6th
12 (12)
Starlust

15/2

Form: 236181 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Acts on firm and good to soft; justified favouritism in York Listed event most recently, beating Rogue Lightning and taking his 5f form figures to 311; much less exposed over this distance than at 6f; ties in with Big Evs on Breeders' Cup running; very appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Starlust

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Top-class form when third in Group 1 Nunthorpe at York and when winning Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, both in 2024; rusty on last year's reappearance but showed he retains plenty of ability when fourth of 20 in Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot on only subsequent outing; leading claims if showing his best after layoff, although that's not guaranteed.

4/1

9

(14)

17th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Starlust

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Dabbles at both sprint trips but 5f on fast ground suits him well as he showed both when finishing an excellent third in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (good to firm) in August and for his win in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar (firm) in November; should come on plenty for last month's reappearance and the weather has been kind.

12/1

1

(7)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Starlust

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Two wins at York (5f, good to soft) last year before fine third in the Group 1 Nunthorpe there (5f, good to firm) and he won the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (5f, firm) in November; lacks a recent run and carries a 5lb penalty but holds leading claims if returning at the top of his game.

7/1

20/1

Form: 15-602 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and good to soft; generally progressive 2023 campaign culminated in close fifth in the Group 1 Abbaye at Longchamp; best effort this term when second to Starlust at York last time; may resume his improvement with hood now reapplied (3-5 in this headgear); interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Rogue Lightning

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Globetrotting gelding whose last win came in Qatar (6f, good) in February 2025 when Washington Heights was second; has run respectably on his two outings this season, fourth in French Group 3 (5f, soft) on latest; should be thereabouts under optimum conditions.

11/2

9th

5

(10)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Rogue Lightning

9st 8lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Tom Clover

Has shown very useful form on home soil and internationally, including a success in Qatar and close second in US Grade 2 this year; below par last time and faces a stiffer assignment on this return to British racing; gained last domestic win in 2023.

40/1

7th

8

(6)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Rogue Lightning

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Acts on good to firm and good to soft; generally progressive 2023 campaign culminated in close fifth in the Group 1 Abbaye at Longchamp; best effort this term when second to Starlust at York last time; may resume his improvement with hood now reapplied (3-5 in this headgear); interesting.

20/1

Form: 540111 D

Last run: 61 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Horse

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Czech Republic-based sprinter who has been successful in various locations, most recently at Chantilly (Group 2) when completing a hat-trick; lumbered with 3lb penalty and is 0-3 on British soil, including two defeats in this contest (fifth in 2022, sixth in 2023); front-runner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Ponntos

9st 13lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Miroslav Nieslanik

Sprinter from the Czech Republic; multiple wins in Europe, most recently in a Group 2 at Chantilly (5f, heavy; has won on good) in June, but he dropped out after making the running in the Group 2 King George at Goodwood and his task is harder today.

50/1

8th

2

(13)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Ponntos

9st 7lb

J: Sabina Mokrosova

T: Miroslav Nieslanik

Czech Republic-based sprinter who has been successful in various locations, most recently at Chantilly (Group 2) when completing a hat-trick; lumbered with 3lb penalty and is 0-3 on British soil, including two defeats in this contest (fifth in 2022, sixth in 2023); front-runner.

14/1

Form: 8-0120 D BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Irish 3yo who belatedly opened his account in May, then ran well in useful handicap at Epsom (5f, good to soft) on Derby day; disappointing favourite at the Curragh since; faces a markedly stiffer task upped in class, being clear bottom on ratings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(10)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Sturlasson

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John Ryan

Did well for new yard last autumn, winning three times (5f, AW/good to soft), and he returned to form when second of six at Bath (5f, good) recently; however, he may prove vulnerable in this hotter contest.

14/1

2nd

3

(2)

4th May 2026

Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 3

14:50 Bath

Sturlasson

9st 7lb

J: William Carson

T: John Ryan

In good form in the second half of 2025, winning three 5f handicaps (Tapeta twice and good to soft); last month's return to action at Newmarket should have sharpened him up but ground this lively will be a first.

12/1

5th

4

(8)

14th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Newmarket

Sturlasson

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: John Ryan

Below best in Ireland in the first half of 2025 but in good heart for this trainer in the autumn, winning three over 5f on AW and turf; has inevitably gone back up the weights but he ran an excellent second, despite some interference, when runner-up in the 3yo Dash at Epsom in 2024 off this mark and that was strong 5f form; respected.

5/1

Form: 9-6113 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground; successful in handicaps at this course (gamely) and Hamilton (impressively) in May/June; creditable third to Makarova at Sandown upped to Group 3 level, having kicked for home too soon in hindsight; currently in career-best form; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Desperate Hero

9st 6lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Jack Channon

raced far side, prominent

50/1

10th

5

(1)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Desperate Hero

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Acts on any ground; successful in handicaps at this course (gamely) and Hamilton (impressively) in May/June; creditable third to Makarova at Sandown upped to Group 3 level, having kicked for home too soon in hindsight; currently in career-best form; could go well.

14/1

Non-runners

Moss Tucker, Jasour, Makarova

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.20
Straight Forecast £5.87
Tricast £23.36
Trifecta £31.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Asfoora

Daily Mail:

Big Evs

POSTDATA:

Believing

The Times:

Desperate Hero

Daily Mirror:

Live In The Dream

SPOTLIGHT:

Starlust

D Express:

Big Evs

Daily Record:

Believing

The Guardian:

Desperate Hero

TOPSPEED:

Asfoora

Telegraph:

Asfoora

The Sun:

Asfoora

The Star:

Live In The Dream