Course winner FAIRBANKS has continued his upward trajectory since a gelding operation, winning twice this season. The Nathaniel gelding was impressive in winning a valuable Newmarket handicap on first attempt over this 1m6f distance, powering clear when it mattered most.

He clearly relished the extra journey that day, coupled with the aid of first-time blinkers (retained here), which may have been a catalyst for progress. Although raised 6lb for that success, he may not have reached the ceiling of his ability and if winning here, he has a squeak of getting into the Ebor at York.

The popular CAIUS CHORISTER must hold outstanding claims in this Group Two contest over 1m6f. A winner over this trip at Group Three level last term, the daughter of Golden Horn has performed creditably in all three runs this season – placing in a pair of Group Three contests, prior to a fair sixth in the G1 Ascot Gold Cup.

She didn’t stay the extreme distance than day and harbours strong claims, dropping in trip and grade.

ALBASHEER was a last-gasp winner for this column at Ascot last week, surging home in the final strides. The Archie Watson-trained speedster is hostage to fortune, as a strong-travelling individual, who needs a quick pace to aim at. He’s likely to have the requisite pace scenario here and could scythe through the pack, granted a gap appears when needed.

In terms of handicapping, Albasheer is still a pound below when winning at Newcastle earlier this term, despite a penalty for winning at Ascot.

BALLYMOUNT BOY is an intriguing runner on handicap debut. He’s been given an official mark of 102, following two efforts in Group Three company this campaign. His previous sixth, on the Tapeta surface at Newcastle, was promising.

He ran on well from off the pace the day, suggesting a rise to this 7f would be right up his street. Look for a fast-finishing effort into the places.

NATIVE WARRIOR is the standout runner in the concluding race of the 2024 Goodwood festival.

His claims are obvious – as a three-year-old, he receives 8lb from his older rivals – and arrives in excellent form. Thrown into a fiendishly-difficult race for handicap debut at the Royal Ascot meeting, he ran a mighty third over the straight mile, and is likely to build on that effort, raised a furlong in journey.

Racing 12 times on turf in his career, he has been prolific when dotting in races between his hurdle’s appearances. Racing seven times across his 2023/24 campaigns, the gelding has won sixth of those starts, coming third in his only defeat. Exceptional form from a horse who has dedicated the majority of his career to hurdles. Landing two races this year, including a course win here at Goodwood back in June, he is taking a step up of two classes here today, and rightly so given the sort of performances he has been producing.

Sporting a big price for today’s affair, Mr Freedom hasn’t failed to finish inside the top four for over two years, and there are no reasons to suggest he isn’t up for this challenge.

A five-year-old mare who boasts a solid form book over the years and can’t be overlooked here today. Although lightly raced since 2023, she returned in great shape when she finished third in the Bronte Cup Group 3 in May before landing a listed race at Pontefract in June. Unable to land back-to-back Bronte Cups after winning by a short head last year, she’s a consistent mare who is looking for her fifth career win from 12 starts.

Putting in solid performances even when beaten, she has only failed to finish inside the top three in two of her starts, and racing off the biggest price of her career here today, she holds solid each-way claims back in Group 2 company.

A well-raced four-year old who has been extremely active this year and has been putting in consistent performances. Getting his 2024 campaign off to a flyer, he recorded two comfortable back-to-back wins in class four affairs before stepping up. Racing in a class two event here today, Billyjoh has raced four times in class two this year, finishing in the top four in three of them.

His best performance came in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he finished second behind English Oak at a big price of 28/1 and holds strong each-way claims heading into today. Racing just three days ago here at Goodwood, he finished a close second after a slow start and is back looking to make amends here today.

Great Chieftain has found another gear this year and has really kicked on from May onwards. The geldings last five results have seen him produce finishes of 2,3,1,2,1 and racing off the same mark of 76 again here today, he holds bold claims to land a quick-fire double. Scoring at Newbury before being beaten by a neck at Windsor, he put in a career-best performance last time.

Winning at a big price of 20/1, his price for today’s affair has dramatically dropped and rightly so, given the performances he has produced of late. A gelding open to further improvement and with five places on offer here today, he will look to take advantage of racing off the same mark.