Glorious Goodwood First Day Challenge From Second Wave

The Qatar Goodwood Festival offers a plethora of opportunities outside the Group races and the first day, Tuesday, July 26, sees Godolphin represented in two handicaps and a maiden.

Second Wave, trained by Charlie Appleby, and Best Of Times, from Saeed bin Suroor's yard, target the first race of the prestigious five-day meeting, the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap (14.00hrs local time) over just short of 10 furlongs.

Four-year-old Second Wave made a very promising reappearance this year when finishing a close second in the 10-furlong Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot on June 18.

The son of New Approach has been successful in five of his 10 races and is partnered by James Doyle for the second time following a victory at Kempton Park in November.

Charlie Appleby commented: "Second Wave has come out well from the Ascot race which was probably a career-best run.

"The ease in the ground may have suited him at Ascot but there is no reason why he shouldn't put up a similar performance on a sounder surface.

"If he can repeat the Ascot form, then he will be very competitive in this race."

Best Of Times has yet to hit top form in 2015 and could make little impression in a valuable mile handicap on soft ground at Sandown Park on July 2, while he finished sixth in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Saeed bin Suroor is hoping a return to 10 furlongs and faster ground will suit the four-year-old Dubawi colt better.

The trainer said: "Best Of Times is doing well physically and always shows good form in the mornings.

"We are giving him another opportunity at Goodwood where we will try cheek-pieces for the first time."

Harry Bentley partners Best Of Times, who carries 9st 8lb and is drawn 12 of the 18 runners, while Second Wave shoulders 9st 9lb and exits from stall eight.

Charlie Appleby saddles three of the 14 runners in the 14-furlong Better Odds With Matchbook Summer Handicap (15.45hrs local time) - A Soldier's Life (James Doyle, 9st 4lb), Qewy (James McDonald, 9st 9lb) and Francis Of Assisi (Adam Kirby, 9st 8lb).

Each has run once so far this season and all have shown great promise. Five-year-old Authorized horse A Soldier's Life raced in France prior to this year and won a Deauville Listed contest in October, 2014. He ran at Royal Ascot last month, finishing sixth in the 12-furlong Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap.

Qewy, a six-year-old son of Street Cry, also raced at Royal Ascot, just failing to win the Ascot Handicap over two and a half miles by a neck.

Six-year-old Francis Of Assisi kept on when sixth in a York Listed race over 14 furlongs on July 9.

Charlie Appleby said: "A Soldier's Life put up a fair performance at Ascot and has come out of the race well. It looks like a mile and three quarters will suit him and he could be on an attractive mark.

"Qewy is coming back in trip but he is a horse who is in good condition and we are hopeful of another excellent run.

"Francis Of Assisi ran a nice race at York on his reappearance on the Flat and there could be more improvement to come from him.

"You can throw a blanket over them at home and they could end up close together on Tuesday as well."

Two-year-old Best Solution, who made a promising debut when third at Windsor over six furlongs, goes for the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing EBF Stallions Maiden (16.55hrs local time) over the same trip.

Saeed bin Suroor declared: "Best Solution has improved from his first race, is in good condition and will hopefully run well again."

James Doyle takes the ride again on the Kodiac colt who is drawn seven of the 12 runners.