Maltese Cross’s terrific run to be runner up in the Derby was a case of so near but so far – the 3yo ran a great race and went down on his shield. Given a great ride by Tom Marquand, for a brief few seconds he looked like he may catch Christmas Day but couldn’t get to the winner who stole a march on the field coming into the straight from the ideal track position. Had he been drawn closer to Christmas Day -Tom would have been able to cover Ronan Whelan’s move and in a battle Maltese Cross may well have Won. I would be very confident that Maltese Cross will be the better horse over the season.
I suspect Maltese Cross will now be focused on the St Leger with the Great Voltigeur as the likely prep race en route.
The other runners at Epsom Kinswoman ran really well to finish 6th in the Dash and York Tower was too inexperienced to deal with Epsom but ran ok finishing 4th.
With the trauma of the weather and drama of Epsom done and dusted for another year – attention moves to stars old and possibly new on Sunday and Monday.
The three runners on Sunday features the return to the track at aged 10 of the Somerville Lodge legend Hamish. He returns to contest the listed 12f Tipster Stakes, a race he won on his comeback in 2025.
Last year we backed the then 9yo and he recorded the 13th win of his career, subsequently going on to win two more in 2025. There is every chance given he has the soft ground he needs that win No 16 will be clocked up on Sunday.
As the ground is completely in his favour he will be a shortish price and not a betting opportunity, especially with the improving stable mate Tenability also in the line up.
The other runner on Sunday is the 2yo debutant Bulletsnap in the 6f Novice Stakes at 2.25. A son of Minzaal he was due run last week but was withdrawn due to a Girth Gall ( an abrasion ) . He is only the second 2yo to run out of Somerville Lodge in 2026 and although this is not the strongest looking Goodwood novice there is no reason to break our No Bet on first time out 2yo rule.
The yard has only had one 2yo Spirit of Bermuda to win on debut at the track this century. Bulletsnap will be just the 5th Haggas trained 2yo to debut at Goodwood since 2021.
Sunday No Bet Recommended.
On Monday at Windsor three very well bred 3yo’s head to Windsor including a potential future star of the yard Bayaann in the Novice stakes at 6.09. Bayaann will be a very short price. He is already rated 98 and as we suggested would be the case, after his 2nd place finish at Newmarket behind the 100 rated Tales of Wisdom, runs in a Novice with a penalty in order to gain more experience.
After Monday, the leading summer 3yo handicaps and Group company awaits this colt who has the potential to be among the best sons sired by the former Gosden trained Group 1 winner, Too Darn Hot.
30 minutes later in Division 2 of the Novice at 6.39 Kahin also has his 3rd run. The son of Kingman has looked backward on his two runs this season , despite being sent off favourite at Southwell, finishing only 4th in a race where the form as been well advertised by the winner following up with an impressive win at Doncaster on Friday.
Kahin has the best form and will probably also go off favourite but he looks far less street wise and talented than Bayaann and is vulnerable to a potential improver lurking in the field of 11.
Also at Windsor, on a card that has plenty of interest for the future, the unraced Indhaar is bred to be a Group Horse and in a race that looks weaker than the two divisions of the 8f Novice events, could make a winning debut.
That does not make the son of Ghaiyyath a betting opportunity. Even when market confidence suggests a Somerville Lodge newcomer is ready to win, it rarely pays out.
No bet Monday – Although several interesting opportunities likely as the week progresses and we head towards Royal Ascot.
Chrysalis Consortium 
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