Ten horses who caught the eye in defeat at Glorious Goodwood

Race: Fourth in the Coral Handicap - (Tuesday).

This filly looked a handicapper going places when landing a 0-105 contest in fine style at York 12 months ago (she finished a close sixth at Royal Ascot prior to that), and it’s a slight surprise she hasn’t managed to notch another victory since.

However, two of her next three starts were in Listed company, and she ran with plenty of credit in defeat on each occasion plus also went close in another 0-105 handicap in-between those two outings off a rating of 97.

John Butler’s charge arrived here on a rating of 92 following two below-par performances, and she looked unlucky not to finish closer after meeting trouble in running.

The four-year-old was forced to wait for a gap two furlongs from home and had to switch a couple of times before eventually finding daylight inside the final furlong.

It’s hard to say if she would have beaten the easy winner who had the advantage of the stands’ rail, but she would have almost certainly finished second with a clear run. She also clocked the same time as the winner in the final furlong, according to the Course Track sectionals.

It would be no surprise to see her return to the Sky Bet Ebor Festival on August 23 as she would have strong claims of recording back-to-back victories in the race she won last year.

Race: Second in the Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes - (Tuesday).

Iberian is held in high regard by his trainer, Charlie Hills, and showed bundles of promise on debut where he travelled powerfully en route to a cosy success in an extended six-furlong novice stakes at Newbury.

Admittedly, the form of that race hasn’t worked out that well, but he was strong in the market beforehand, and Group One winners Mysterious Night and Expert Eye are among the names on the roll of honour for that contest.

This son of Lope De Vega, who cost 200,000gns as a yearling and is from a high-class family, arguably shaped like the best youngster here as he raced in last throughout plus had to challenge widest of all. William Buick also said afterwards that the cut in the ground blunted his speed.

He still finished strongly and clocked the fastest sectional in the final furlong to finish a never-nearer second behind the winner, who had the benefit of five runs under his belt.

Although this may not have been the strongest renewal of the Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes, it was still a hugely encouraging effort from Iberian, and connections are now eyeing a tilt at the Betfred Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on September 16.

It may be optimistic, but I wouldn't put you off having a small each-way on him at the general 40-1 on offer for next year’s QIPCO 2000 Guineas.

Race: Fourth in the Coral Fillies' Handicap - (Tuesday).

Richard Hannon’s youngster produced a career best to win a 0-85 handicap with ease at Haydock in July on her first start over seven furlongs and was a shade unfortunate not to score again upped in grade in this mile handicap off a 6lb higher rating.

Despite racing a shade keenly towards the rear, the three-year-old was full of running when stuck behind a wall of horses over two furlongs out before eventually being switched widest of all. Once in the clear, she stayed on powerfully and was gaining on the third all the way to the line. The Course Track sectionals show she clocked the fastest final furlong, too, and she finished with running left in her.

On this evidence, Royal Dress remains nicely treated, and with a clear run, I reckon she would have won this contest, especially as the first three home gained first run on her.

Her efforts this season suggest she's best suited by some give in the ground, and she remains unexposed over seven furlongs and a mile. This Night Of Thunder filly is definitely one to follow over the coming months.

Race: Second in the World Pool British EBF Fillies' Handicap - (Tuesday).

Although he didn't win, Oliver Stammers would have been on the 'ride of the meeting' award shortlist had there been one after somehow guiding Sophia's Starlight to finish second in the World Pool British EBF Fillies' Handicap.

Stammers' saddle slipped back shortly after the start and while his mount was granted a relatively easy lead on the stands' rail, the young rider did remarkably well to maintain his balance, especially as Sophia's Starlight hung right throughout.

Grant Tuer's filly has scored four times already this season, and it's unlikely this three-year-old has finished improving yet. This run also proved she is capable of going close in this higher grade having run a shade below-par in a 0-90 handicap on her previous start.

Race: Third in the Jaeger Lecoultre Molecomb Stakes - (Wednesday).

Kylian shaped like a potential Group One performer when storming to victory in a Listed contest at Sandown on his penultimate start, and while it was disappointing he could only manage third here, his effort can be upgraded.

After being bumped leaving the stalls, Ryan Moore's mount was outpaced in last before finding himself caught behind rivals two furlongs from home, and he stayed on inside the final furlong once in the clear, despite hanging right. He also appeared to have gas left in the tank at the line, and was easily the fastest through the last furlong (Course Track sectionals for each race at Goodwood can be found in the results section on racingtv.com).

He didn't appear to handle the going, or the track, that well, and a return to a sounder surface, as well as a step up in trip, will be beneficial.

The 12-1 with Sky Bet for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York on August 25 was quickly snapped up afterwards, but the general 6-1 on offer looks a fair price, although it may be wise to wait until nearer the time to back him, with stablemate Elite Status heading the betting at 3-1.

Race: Fifth in the Buccellati Handicap - (Thursday).

Metal Merchant went into plenty of Racing TV Trackers after finishing an eye-catching third at Ascot in July and he again looked a potential winner in waiting when a never-nearer fifth in this contest.

The three-year-old found himself in last during the early stages and was beginning to make steady headway before enduring traffic problems entering the final two furlongs.

After briefly gaining a clear run a furlong from home, Metal Merchant again suffered interference and was unable to hit top gear, with Ryan Moore allowing his mount to coast him in the closing stages.

Given the circumstances, he did well to finish as close as he did on ground softer than ideal, and his past two efforts hint that his turn is near.

Race: Fourth in the World Pool Handicap - (Thursday).

Despite running consistently, Desert Games remains winless from eight starts, but it is surely only a matter of time before he breaks his maiden tag.

Hilal Kobeissi's new recruit was beaten half a length or less on each occasion when runner-up on his final three starts for Richard Fahey, and could be classed as an unlucky loser on two of those efforts.

The same can't be said for the gelding on this outing, but he fared best of those towards the stands' side by storming home inside the final furlong to snatch fourth having looked a shade outpaced when asked for maximum effort.

He can take a while to hit full stride (he changed his legs numerous times before flying home here) and first-time blinkers didn't appear to hinder him (he'd worn a visor on his three previous starts).

Desert Games' pedigree certainly suggests he will stay further than the minimum trip, and while he weakened close home on his first four starts over six furlongs, it wouldn't be a surprise if connections stepped him back up in trip at some point.

He is effective over five, though, and I'll be amazed if he doesn't record a victory this season.

Race: Seventh in the Coral Golden Mile - (Friday).

Perotto had become a frustrating horse to follow before gaining an overdue victory at Sandown in July - when wearing a hood for the first time - on his third outing for Roger Varian.

The new headgear clearly worked the oracle there and while he only managed seventh in this competitive handicap, it was a perfectly respectable effort from his outside draw, which was always going to make things tricky, especially as he didn't get much cover.

The five-year-old was still rated 110 in June last year, so remains nicely treated off a rating of 98, despite being raised 4lb after his Sandown victory.

He's a general 10-1 chance for the Clipper Handicap at York on August 24, which will surely be his next target, and is worth an investment ante-post for that contest.

Race: Second in the Coral Handicap - (Friday).

This thorough stayer took a step forward to record his third victory of the season at Salisbury in July when wearing first-time cheekpieces and produced another career best to finish a luckless second in this extended 1m3f handicap.

After travelling powerfully, the Camelot colt was repeatedly denied a clear run in the straight before eventually finding a gap entering the final furlong, but the winner had flown by then, and True Legend was unable to claw back the deficit.

Although Balance Play scored a shade comfortably, it is easy to argue Sir Mark Prescott's youngster was an unlucky loser, and cheekpieces appear to be bringing out the best in this three-year-old.

With just nine runs under his belt, further improvement can be expected, and True Legend deserves to gain compensation on his next start.

Race: 18th in the Coral Stewards' Cup - (Saturday).

This selection will probably raise a few eyebrows, but hear me out!

Orazio was sent off the well-backed 100-30 favourite after attracting significant support all week, and while conditions looked set to be ideal for him (he relished soft ground at Ascot two starts ago), the deluge of rain on Saturday meant the ground was heavy, which did not suit this lightly-raced four-year-old.

He looked to hold strong claims after finishing a close sixth in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot on fast ground, and connections had said beforehand that he prefers some give underfoot, although not quite to the extent of what he faced at Goodwood!

It is best to put a line through this outing, and he's not one to give up on just yet as he looks nicely treated based upon his performances prior to this effort plus remains a potential Group performer in the making.

Although he holds an entry in the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes, I expect connections will persevere with handicaps for the time being, and the Ayr Gold Cup on September 23 is a potential target. Hopefully this below-par effort will mean we get a better price on him winning the Ayr showpiece!