Glorious Goodwood is proving to be a difficult beast to tame.

There’s been some surprise results already and we aren’t even halfway through.

The Group 2 Qatar Richmond Stakes is at 3pm and there’s half a dozen in here with legitimate claims. The July Stakes was a decent race and you have to respect Cardsharp and US Navy Flag who were first and second. However, they are pretty exposed and there are a few in this line-up with a bit more potential.

Headway ran well at Royal Ascot when runner-up in the Coventry Stakes, but have a look at his sire’s record – his progeny are much better on quick ground.

The two that I like are Nebo and Barraquero. Nebo was very close to winning the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, but was headed close to the finish. He won his debut on soft ground and the return to slower conditions may suit him better than most. Barraquero could be anything after he dotted up in a novice race at Chepstow. This is much tougher but he’s the dark horse, if you’ll excuse the phrase. Nebo just edges it for me though.

The Nassau Stakes at 3.35pm is probably one of the most hotly contest fillies races that you will see all year.

But, let’s start with the winner. Winter. She ticks virtually every box. She won both the English and Irish Guineas, before sweeping to success in the Coronation Stakes. The only box she doesn’t have a definitive tick in, is the distance. She has never won over this trip, but given her breeding I’m not too worried by this. I think she should win.

Of the opposition, So Mi Dar has been a fragile horse to train but she has always looked like the business. I would not rule her out by any means. Of those at longer odds, Nezwaah is a Group 1 winner over this distance, having won the Pretty Polly at the Curragh a month ago, while Wuheida still has bags of potential, having only had three races, including a very strong second at Newmarket in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes. Winter is the one for me.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

1.50pm Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap 1m 1f 197y 3yo £50,000

Race odds: Addeybb (5), Good Omen (8), Hold Sway (9), Frontispiece (11), Kings Gift (11), Mutarabby (12), Archetype (16), Euginio (16), Mukalal (16), Emenem (20), Grey Britain (20), Monticello (20), Leaders Legacy (22), Rumpole (25), Society Red (28), Morning Suit (33), Rays The Money (40), Twin Star (40)
The Duke’s pick: Addeybb

2.25pm Markel Insurance Fillies’ Stakes (G3) 1m 6f 3yo+ £100,000

Race odds: Endless Time (7/2), Melodic Motion (11/2), Dubka (7), Natural Scenery (8), Wild Irish Rose (11), Diamonds Pour Moi (12), Alyssa (14), Dawn Horizons (14), Harlequeen (14), Rich Legacy (16), Aljezeera (20), Lucy The Painter (50)
The Duke’s pick: Dubka + Alyssa

3.00pm Qatar Richmond Stakes (G2) 6f 2yo £200,000

Race odds: Cardsharp (10/3), Headway (7/2), Nebo (4), US Navy Flag (6), Barraquero (7), Invincible Army (10), Grand Koonta (20), Etefaaq (25), Green Power (25), Bullington Bandit (40)
The Duke’s pick: Nebo

3.35pm Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1) (British Champions Series) 1m 1f 197y 3yo+ £600,000

Race odds: Winter (13/8), So Mi Dar (7/2), Sobetsu (6), Queens Trust (7), Shutter Speed (15/2), Nezwaah (9), Hydrangea (14), Wuheida (14), Blond Me (18)
The Duke’s pick: Winter

4.10pm The Telegraph Nursery 7f 2yo £25,000

Race odds: Billesdon Brook (5), Poetic Steps (6), Veejay (6), Tangled (7), Poets Prince (8), Gold Town (12), Jedi Master (12), Starlight Mystery (12), Cheeky Rascal (20), Royal Household (20), Barbarianatthegate (22), She Believes (25), Central City (28), Chai Chai (28), Cosmopolitan Queen (33), Alifax (40), Devils Cowboy (50), Lucifugous (50)
The Duke’s pick: Barbarianatthegate

4.45pm Victoria Racing Club EBF British Stallion Studs Fillies’ Maiden 7f 2yo £25,000

Race odds: Magical (8/13), Roulette (11/4), Ripley (12), Zilara (16), Miss Paris (18), Ann Without An E (22), Rotherhithe (100), Titchy Digits (100)
The Duke’s pick: Magical

5.20pm Tatler Handicap (76-95) 5f 3yo £25,000

Race odds: Major Jumbo (5), Quench Dolly (11/2), Intense Romance (6), Carlton Frankie (10), Evergate (10), Fair Cop (10), Megan Lily (12), Poets Society (12), Yorkshiredebut (14), Fethiye Boy (16), Super Julius (16), Maakaasib (18)
The Duke’s pick: Poet’s Society