JOSEPH O’Brien has enjoyed a brilliant season so far thanks to Thundering On’s win in the Betfred Oaks and a remarkable five-timer at Royal Ascot. The 33-year-old has a busy week in store back home at Galway, but he isn’t ignoring Goodwood and I expect his CANNES to be very
Bill Esdaile 
Tuesday 28 July 2026 5:33 pm | Updated: Tuesday 28 July 2026 5:34 pm
JOSEPH O’Brien has enjoyed a brilliant season so far thanks to Thundering On’s win in the Betfred Oaks and a remarkable five-timer at Royal Ascot.
The 33-year-old has a busy week in store back home at Galway, but he isn’t ignoring Goodwood and I expect his CANNES to be very hard to beat in the opening Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (1.50pm) over a mile-and-a-half.
This Sea The Stars colt was a hot favourite for the King George V Stakes last month, but he just couldn’t get into it from a wide draw and off a slow pace.
You simply have to put a line through that run considering his previous impressive maiden win at Leopardstown in May where he had a couple of subsequent winners behind.
He was also second to Derby third James J Braddock on debut last November, so he has some strong form in the book.
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I will be backing him in the World Pool Win market and will also have a look at a World Pool Quinella with him and the fellow Al Shaqab-owned HATTEEN.
The latter enjoyed the step up to this trip when comfortably winning a valuable novice contest at Doncaster earlier this month, which earned him a free entry for the St Leger.
He was only raised six pounds for that, which might prove a shade lenient.
The St Leger will require a significant step up, but he is an improving horse for the in-form Andrew Balding team.
Infraad is the obvious danger for William Haggas after a luckless run at Chester last time, but I’ll stick with the two Al Shaqab colts in the Quinella.
POINTERS WEDNESDAY
Cannes (Win) 1.50pm Goodwood
Cannes, Hatteen (Quinella) 1.50pm Goodwood
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