Speaking at the conclusion of day four of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Clerk of the Course Ed Arkell said: “It’s still quick ground on the straight. I changed the going description to Good to Firm after the first race. I think there is still a bit more juice in there on the round course than possibly Good to Firm suggests.

“We probably won’t do anything on the Round Course tonight; we will come down the straight – I am just waiting to look at the figures to see what we do – but we will certainly come down the Straight Course tonight with some water.

“What can you say about Battaash? He is an extraordinary horse; to take that much off the track record again shows he is a special horse, and he never even looked like it was hard work. He just cruised the whole way – amazing.

“I am looking forward to tomorrow. The Unibet Stewards’ Cup will be great, as always; the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes has a small field and it will be interesting to see how that turns out, as those type of races often turn tactical, but the quality looks very good. Hopefully all four run and we get a good race.”

Friday’s stewards’ reports

1:10pm TDN AUSTRALIA HANDICAP STAKES

Permission was given for MOOMBA (IRE) to wear a hood in the Parade Ring only. Following the race, Frankie Dettori reported that CELESTRAN, placed fifth, was slowly away and Silvestre De Sousa reported that MAFIA POWER, which started second favourite and finished unplaced, ran flat.

1:45pm SAINT CLAIR OAK TREE STAKES (Group 3)

Following the race, Andrea Atzeni reported that INVITATIONAL, placed sixth, reared leaving the stalls; the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the filly shortly after the race failed to reveal any abnormalities. The Veterinary Officer further reported that UNDER THE STARS (IRE), unplaced, finished lame on its left-fore.

2:15pm – BONHAMS THOROUGHBRED STAKES (Group 3)

Permission was given for MYSTERY POWER (IRE) and TILSIT (USA) to wear red hoods to the start. An enquiry was held to consider the placings in this race after interference approaching the half furlong marker when the winner, TILSIT (USA), ridden by Ryan Moore, interfered with MY OBERON (IRE), placed second, ridden by Tom Marquand. The Stewards considered that the interference had not improved TILSIT (USA)’s placing as TILSIT (USA) had been making its run from behind MY OBERON (IRE) and gone an extending three quarters of a length clear prior to the incident occurring. Moore was suspended for 5 days for careless riding (August 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) as he had allowed his mount to hang right-handed towards the rail without timely correction, tightening MY OBERON (IRE) against the rail and causing Marquand to take a significant check. Following the race, Silvestre De Sousa reported that MYSTERY POWER (IRE), placed fourth, was restless in the stalls and as a result was slowly away.

2:45pm UNIBET GOLDEN MILE HANDICAP STAKES

CARDSHARP wore earplugs which were removed at the start. An enquiry was held to consider interference approximately half a furlong out involving URBAN ICON, placed second, ridden by Pat Dobbs; CLIFFS OF CAPRI, placed fifth, ridden by Dougie Costello; VALE OF KENT (IRE), unplaced, ridden by Joe Fanning and ALMUFTI, unplaced, ridden by David Egan. Dobbs was suspended for 3 days (August 14, 15, 16) for careless riding as approaching the half furlong marker he had switched righthanded for a run, carrying CLIFFS OF CAPRI off its intended line which in turn caused interference to ALMUFTI and VALE OF KENT (IRE). Following the race, P. J. McDonald reported that BLOWN BY WIND, unplaced, was slowly away and Oisin Murphy reported that SIR BUSKER (IRE), unplaced, was continually denied a clear run in the home straight.

3:15pm KING GEORGE QATAR STAKES (Group 2)

Permission was given for BATTAASH (IRE) to be mounted on the course. The Starter reported that AL RAYA was the subject of a third criteria failure. Simon & Ed Crisford were informed that the filly could not run until the day after passing a stalls test.

3:45pm L’ORMARINS QUEEN’S PLATE GLORIOUS STAKES (Group 3)

Following the race, Oisin Murphy reported that LE DON DE VIE, placed third, was denied a clear run in the home straight.

4:20pm NEW UNIBET INSTANT ROULETTE NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES

An enquiry was held to consider interference shortly after the start involving the winner, ZAMAANI (IRE), ridden by William Buick; PORFIN (IRE), unplaced, ridden by Adrian McCarthy and ROOSTER, unplaced, ridden by P. J. McDonald. Buick was suspended for 2 days for careless riding as he had allowed his mount to drift left-handed towards the rail when insufficiently clear, causing PORFIN (IRE) to be hampered and carried onto ROOSTER. Following the race, David Egan reported that SAYIFYOUWILL, unplaced, hung left-handed under pressure.

4:55pm BRITISH EUROPEAN BREEDERS FUND EBF MAIDEN FILLIES’ STAKES

Nothing to report