Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Phantom to take Flight at Goodwood

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews the fifth and final day of Glorious Goodwood

Saturday, Goodwood

PHANTOM FLIGHT can take the final day opener at Goodwood (1.50). Victorious in a small field at Newbury last time, he may get exactly the same pace set-up here. Furthermore, he settled beautifully under Callum Shepherd for his new yard and looks to have grown up a fair bit.

KNIGHTSWOOD is an each way play in a warm staying handicap (2.25). Although a respectful distance behind Fairbanks at Newmarket, he was too far off the pace against a pronounced bias, is better off here, and is well drawn to be ridden a little more forcefully. He’s generally holding his form admirably, and the yard is going a bit better too.

MELO MELO is quite a strong fancy in the Lilly Langtry (3.00). From a stable that has excelled with UK raiders this year, she was second in the Vermeille in 2023, and only really needs to replicate that to have a big say in this. Unlike Free Wind, she has scope for considerable further progress, while Caius Chorister is feared more, but may just lack a touch of pace relative to the selection.

MOSTABSHIR gets one last chance in the Stewards’ Cup (3.35). He let me down badly again in the Bunbury Cup, but I’m now convinced he’s worth a try in a sprint. Some of his split times early in his career, particularly when winning at York last year, strongly suggest he can cope with this drop in distance, and snaking through a big field going a good pace may just unlock his abundant ability. There are certainly no issues as regards his mark.