GLORIOUS Goodwood is just around the corner and, alongside Galway, provides one of the most intriguing weeks of racing in the calendar.

In theory, this is accompanied by beautiful weather, but the elements don’t always come together, and punters should be aware of a slightly mixed forecast over the next week or so, and tailor their betting accordingly.

Tuesday

Do Or Do Not (Ed Walker)

Vintage Stakes

I’d be inclined to call Ed Walker’s Do Or Do Not a trier, but fans of the Star Wars franchise will point out that “there is no try”.

The son of Space Blues has yet to race beyond six furlongs, but has improved to be runner-up in the Coventry and the July Stakes on his last two starts, on both occasions doing his best work late, and he’s bred to be better still given an extra furlong.

A laid-back colt, he was in need of experience on debut but clearly relishes his racing and belied his 80/1 SP when chasing home Gstaad at Ascot and he proved there was no fluke about that when again running on with gusto to be beaten only by Zavateri, who he may meet again in Tuesday’s Vintage Stakes.

Ed Walker

If that happens, I would expect the market to underrate him once more and he should repay each-way support granted eight or more going to post. His maiden status is no concern given he’s been improving his form race by race, and he deserves to get a winner’s blacktype sooner rather than later.

Wednesday

Sing Us A Song (Ralph Beckett)

Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap

It should pay to forgive Sing Us A Song a disappointing effort in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot, where he lost any chance at the start, and focus on his hugely impressive win in a warm mile and a quarter handicap at Sandown in April.

I was convinced watching him make all and shrug off late challenges on the Esher slopes that he would progress again up in trip, but he didn’t get the chance to justify that opinion last time.

Any rain would suit the son of Camelot who coped well with dead ground at Sandown, and I remain convinced that he is some way ahead of the handicapper. His owners, Wathnan Racing, won this race with French Duke 12 months ago, and Sing Us A Song is my idea of the best handicap bet of the entire week.

Thursday

Gladius (Andrew Balding)

Coral Kincsem Handicap

The Kincsem Handicap is traditionally one of the hottest betting heats of the week, particularly when it was run as the Extel Handicap in days of yore.

Many big gambles were landed and many more went astray in the Extel, which became synonymous with that ultra-shrewdie Luca Cumani, who saddled three consecutive winners of the race in my teenage years, all of whom were the subject of notable market support.

Luca has retired now, and there isn’t a trainer represented with his reputation, but there are a number of sharp improvers among the entries, with none more interesting that Gladius, who has won two of his three starts, suffering his only defeat in a novice at Salisbury on his return.

He was turned over at odds of 1/4 at Salisbury, and I’d normally be keen to oppose such an animal, but given the winner, Arabian Force, has since been beaten just a nose in the Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton, the effort needs little forgiving.

Gladius was still green at Salisbury and showed much-improved form when making a winning handicap debut at Sandown when beating Watching Stars and Man From La Mancha.

The runner-up had given weight and a beating to Royal Ascot winner Merchant on his previous start and the third may frank the form when lining up at Sandown on Friday evening, after this article has gone to print.

The Sandown form already looks very strong, and Gladius can only improve again, with the extra furlong of this race likely to suit.

Friday

Arisaig (Charlie Johnston)

Coral Golden Mile

The Johnston stable has an excellent record in handicaps at this meeting down the years and Arisaig looks to have leading claims granted a fair draw in the Golden Mile.

Winner of a fillies’ handicap over course and distance a year ago, she has progressed again this year without really getting an opportunity to underline that fact.

Badly drawn in the Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, she fared second-best of those drawn in single figures in a race that did not suit at all and confirmed previous impressions that she was still improving when second (and best of those who raced off the pace) to classic in a valuable event at Sandown last time.

The winner of that contest had become very well handicapped, and the form is solid, with Arisaig again shaping better than the bare result. Her previous second at Ascot saw her finish immediately in front of a pair of next-time-out winners, so while a mark of 97 is 9lb higher than she’s won off before, she is certainly capable of winning from it when things drop right for her.

Arisaig’s running style means she will need some luck in a race of this nature, but she overcame a pace bias to win over course and distance a year ago and was a huge eyecatcher in a listed race over track and trip earlier in the season (had no room when trying for a run up the rail and finished full of running), so it’s clear that this idiosyncratic course brings out the best in her, so she makes plenty of appeal.

Saturday

Holkham Bay (William Knight)

Coral Stewards’ Cup

Holkham Bay disappointed on his latest start at Ascot, but had little chance after a slow start from the worst of the draw on a rare try at five furlongs.

Prior to that he had looked better than ever when an unlucky fourth, beaten just half a length, in the Wokingham behind Get It. That effort followed a couple of eye-catching runs including when fifth over the minimum trip here in a race where he finished on the bridle after meeting trouble.

Having been well held in two previous Goodwood outings, that run here in May proves he handles the track and the return to six furlongs is massively in his favour. Of course, he will need a good draw to take advantage of what is clearly a workable mark, and that is in the lap of the gods at present.

What we do know is that Holkham Bay is guaranteed a run and that he arrives here in much better form than his form figures indicate.