Al Hudaiba

Al Hudaiba arrives at Goodwood on the back of a Group 2 success at Newmarket on 11 July, when the Charlie Appleby colt got up in the shadow of the post at 5/2 in the Superlative Stakes. The official comment reads that he "ran on well to join leader final 50yds, led post" after being hampered inside the final 110 yards, so this was a performance dripping with resolution rather than pure fluency. Three wins from four completed starts tell the story, with the only blot a unseated rider at Yarmouth in May when he "jinked sharply right and unseated rider inside final furlong". His prior Newmarket wins at 2/9 and 5/1 confirm a colt whose class has been apparent from debut. The conditions today ask nothing new. All four completed runs have come at 6f or 7f on ground no softer than good, and today's Coral Vintage Stakes is a 7f Group 2 on good to firm in places. He is stepping into the same class bracket he handled last time. The one honest question is whether the quirks — the hanging, the hampering, the Yarmouth mishap — resurface on Goodwood's undulations, and connections have responded with first-time blinkers, a tactical statement rather than a panic move given his rating of 108 already sits clear of the field. Drawn five in a field of six, William Buick keeps the ride for a trainer in strong form. The market frames him as the one to beat, though Haffner is a live threat for Ryan Moore at 15/8, while Pikachu is next best at 15/2. Betfair Sportsbook and Sky Bet both go 2/1, with Paddy Power a shade bigger at 9/4. At an advised 13/8 he is fair rather than generous, but with the highest OR in the race, proven Group 2 form and blinkers to sharpen his mind, the case is coherent.

Al Hudaiba returned at 13/8 in the 2:25 at Goodwood on Tuesday, 28 July 2026. Lost — net P&L -1.00pts.