Exciting new season at Goodwood racecourse gets off to fine start

The first race, a one mile two furlong handicap, saw jockey George Baker in fine form on board the Mark Tomkins-trained Mystery Star.

The four-year-old had been gelded over the winter, had already run two solid races in defeat but was 5lb higher in the weights than when runner-up at Yarmouth. He won well under an excellent ride by Baker, winning at 7-4, with something in hand. He should continue on the up and his trainer thinks he is the type for the John Smiths Cup at York in July.

There was local interest in the Goodwood Hotel Maiden Stakes over five furlongs when Oil Strike was making his racing debut for Chiddingfold trainer Peter Winkworth.

Winkworth's Robin's Farm Racing Stables made a name for themselves on the Flat last season and had already landed a big gamble with juvenile debutant Raines Cross at Bath last week.

Oil Strike, a two-year-old, is a half-brother to a couple of winners over sprint distances at two. He hung down the hill, but with the help of Stephen Carson in the saddle, picked up to run on well against the rail. to finish second.

He needed only a couple of strides to get his head in front and had been backed down to 6-1 from a much higher price before the race. He has an excellent temperament and should be winning soon.

Arundel trainer John Dunlop has his string in flying form this season and Devil To Pay was his seventh winner of the new season when winning the Royal Sussex Regiment Handicap race over one mile one furlong at Goodwood.

The three-year-old had caught the eye on his handicap debut at Bath last time, when he finished seventh. He landed something of a gamble at Goodwood, having been backed down to 9-4 favourite.

He was unbalanced round the turn but jockey Seb Sanders soon had him making up ground. He was slightly impeded by the runner up, Breadstick, but had a decisive victory in the end. He will undoubtedly improve further and looks as he needs to run over a longer trip, possibly even 12 furlongs.