Horse Racing Tips: Thursday’s Glorious Goodwood Cheat Sheet for the action on ITV

I suspect INTO BATTLE has each-way claims for the talented Ed Walker and Hollie Doyle. Draw could be better but I’ll take a chance.

In a race full of improvers, MORTLAKE has a massive chance to step up over what could be his ideal distance. He’s been completely overlooked in the market as an each-way option at a huge price.

There is due to be a little bit of rain around before racing gets underway on Thursday. On the basis that it’s going to be on the easy side of good, I’ll go with MIDNIGHT GUN.

MIDNIGHT GUN was notably strong in the market when making a successful start to his handicap career at Newmarket in June.

Not original, but THE STRIKIN VIKING has already done more than most of these, winning nicely at York on debut and then chasing home Henri Matisse in the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh.

TROPICAL STORM is quite clearly improving with his racing and all of his three tries so far have been over the minimum 5 furlongs.

THE STRIKIN VIKING has been brilliant on his first two runs, and this doesn’t come too quickly for him. I’d be astonished if he’s beaten.

THE STRIKIN VIKING had created a big impression at York and enhanced his reputation without quite being able to fend off another excellent prospect when second in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh.

The Strikin Viking has been well found in the market, and I like BLACK FORZA at a high price. He’s improved significantly, and represents solid each-way value.

A poor renewal and JAN BRUEGHEL should take this in his stride for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. The only doubt is fast ground, but he should just be too good.

MEYDAAN was running fairly well when the team were woefully out of form and so has to be given some credit for that. Course form will stand him in good stead.

JAN BRUEGHEL has only had two starts, and he’s won both. I’m not too sure there’s anything else to come from his rivals. He deserves to be favourite.

BELLUM JUSTUM resumed his progress when third in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and another big run is on the cards under ideal conditions.

I can’t oppose JAN BRUEGHEL for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. His form is decent, and he’s crying out for this 1m4f trip. I’ll be surprised if he gets beaten.

EMILY UPJOHN has to give weight away to the younger horses like Opera Singer and Elmalka, but I suspect she can do that on the back of her monster run under Kieran Shoemark in the Pretty Polly over in Ireland.

ELMALKA’s form so far this year looks rock solid and now that she gets the extra quarter-mile to stretch her legs we could see her continue to reach higher up the ratings as an each-way option.

I was against OPERA SINGER and with Porta Fortuna in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot, but this 1m2f trip changes my mind.

OPERA SINGER had 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka behind in fourth when runner-up in the Coronation at Royal Ascot and can open her Group 1 account for the year with the step up to 1¼m promising to suit.

Going to 1m2f will suit OPERA SINGER, and it’s hard to go against her. I was surprised by the tactics last time out in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot but she can bounce back.