Nick Luck’s blog: Colourful fancy in the Nassau  

Goodwood is here and our man Nick Luck will be previewing the action each day. Nick Luck has run his eye over six races from day three here.   

MIGDAM is an unoriginal but solid selection at 7/2 for Goodwood’s opener on Thursday (1.50pm). He was deeply impressive on his seasonal return at Doncaster, and I’m not convinced that the handicapper is anywhere near him. Ryan Moore takes over – clearly an advantage – and this horse should benefit further from a more honestly run race. An exciting prospect.

AL KARRAR is a bit more speculative at 13/2 in the Richmond (2.25pm). Royal Scotsman sets a good standard, but is short enough, and I’ll take a chance that the selection can go on from his debut for his good young trainer. There are some positive messages from the Windsor form, and he did well to win so decisively having missed the start.

GRAND ALLIANCE clearly comes with risks attached, but let’s take a punt at 9/1 in the Gordon (3.00pm). His wayward antics obviously cost him at Ascot, but for which he’d have won quite nicely, and I can see Danny Tudhope smuggling him into the race and challenging last of all in a contest that really should be run at a pretty searching gallop with some signed-on stayers in attendance. The yard has really turned the corner, and now may be the time to strike.

LILAC ROAD may never have a better chance of picking up a Group One, and she is some value to 11/2 to upset Nashwa in the Nassau (3.35pm). The Middleton form isn’t special, but I liked her tenacity that day, and she’s had a nice break to tee her up for this. With a niggling doubt over the strength of the 3yo middle distance fillies, I’m keen to try and keep the most progressive of the elders on side.

PRAIRIE FALCON has a tricky draw, but that’s built into a nice price of 11/1 in the Nursery (4.10pm). She has shaped promisingly all three starts, but really looked crying out for this extra furlong last time, and the booking of Hollie Doyle is appealing. She’ll have to bide her time, but there’s plenty of pace here.

LE BEAU GARÇON looks likely to run a bold race at 15/2 over the minimum trip (4.45pm). He performed with credit in a significantly better race at Newmarket’s July Festival, and looks to have the best of the draw here if he can make use of it.