A Kentish Summer's Day Worth Travelling For

My old dad used to say that a Saturday at Folkestone in August was one of life's simple pleasures — a cold drink, a warm afternoon, and a card that gave you something to think about on the drive home. Looking at what's on offer today, I think he'd have been very happy indeed. Seven races, good to firm ground, and prize money that would make your eyes water. Not bad for a sunny Saturday in Kent.

The going is recorded as Good to Firm, which on a day like today is about as good as it gets for the faster, more athletic types. Those with a low, daisy-cutting action will be in their element, and anything that wants soft ground can stay at home. It's a surface that rewards horses who travel well through their races rather than those who grind it out, and that's worth keeping firmly in mind as we work through the card.

Pull up the full Folkestone racecard and settle in — there's plenty to get through.

The Feature Race: Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (15:00, Group 2, £300k)

The centrepiece of the afternoon is undoubtedly the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes, a Group 2 contest over a mile and six furlongs worth £300,000. Seven runners, a beautifully balanced field, and a race that genuinely could go any number of ways. This is what summer racing is all about.

Danielle (John & Thady Gosden, William Buick) heads the market on a rating of 114 and brings course and distance form to the table — always a reassuring combination on Good to Firm ground. The Gosden yard have been in fine fettle and Buick is the kind of jockey who makes this trip look effortless on a horse that truly stays. She's the one they all have to beat.

But I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't flag up Consent (Sir Mark Prescott, Luke Morris, rated 113). Sir Mark is a trainer who rarely runs a horse unless it's primed to the minute, and at a mile and six on quick ground, his horses tend to arrive at the track in peak condition. Morris is underrated by many punters and I'd be surprised if this one runs a bad race.

The wildcard is Amelia Earhart — Aidan O'Brien's three-year-old ridden by Ryan Moore. She's rated 104, which looks a touch light on paper, but O'Brien and Moore don't come to a race like this without meaning business. The weight-for-age allowance gives her a fighting chance, and Moore has an uncanny ability to find a length or two from somewhere when it matters most. Don't dismiss her.

The Coral Stewards' Cup (15:35, Heritage Handicap, £250k)

Twenty-eight runners over six furlongs. If the Lillie Langtry is a fine dining experience, the Stewards' Cup is a brilliant, chaotic street food market — and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. This is the race that gets the heart racing, the one where you're scanning the draw and the going report and still end up going with your gut.

Good to Firm suits the speedsters here, and the pace will be ferocious from the off. Soldier's Tree (James Owen, Mason Paetel, rated 108) tops the ratings and has to be respected — Owen's horses tend to arrive fit and ready, and Paetel is a jockey who's been making serious waves this season. Keep an eye on how he jumps from the stalls.

Completely Random (Harry Charlton, Ryan Moore, rated 102) has course and distance form and — well, it's Ryan Moore in a big sprint handicap. You don't need me to tell you that's worth a few quid of anyone's money. He has a gift for positioning in big fields that borders on the supernatural.

For each-way punters looking for a bigger price, Flash Harry (Clive Cox, Jack Nicholls, rated 98) has both course and distance form and Clive Cox knows how to target a race like this. He won't be favourite but he won't be friendless either.

The Coral Glorious Stakes (14:25, Group 3, £110k)

Before the big two, we have a lovely Group 3 over a mile and three furlongs. Ghostwriter (Kevin Philippart de Foy, David Egan, rated 115) is the highest-rated runner in the race and has been one of the stories of the season — a horse who keeps finding improvement when you least expect it. On Good to Firm ground he should be right in his element.

Al Aasy (William Haggas, Tom Marquand, rated 114) is nine years old and still here, still competing at Group level. I have a huge soft spot for the old boy. He has course and distance form, and Haggas wouldn't have him here if there wasn't a big run in him. Tom Marquand has ridden him beautifully in the past and knows every inch of him by now.

In My Teens (Gavin Cromwell, Oisin Murphy, rated 111) is the Irish raider to keep onside. Murphy is in the form of his life and Cromwell has been quietly excellent with his raiders to the mainland this summer.

Earlier on the Card: The Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap (13:50)

The opener is a Class 2 handicap over a mile and six furlongs and it's a cracker to kick things off. Tarriance (Andrew Balding, Colin Keane, rated 105) is the top-rated runner and has course and distance form — that [D] flag is a big tick on Good to Firm ground. Colin Keane is one of the classiest riders in Europe and he doesn't take the trip across the water for a quiet day out.

Valedictory (John & Thady Gosden, William Buick, rated 95) also has course and distance form and the Gosden yard is always worth respecting in staying handicaps. He's a touch lower in the weights than some, which could prove an advantage in a race run at a true gallop on quick ground.

Align The Stars (Charlie Johnston, Daniel Muscutt, rated 101) brings both course and distance experience, and Johnston's horses tend to peak in the summer months. Daniel Muscutt is a jockey who rarely gets the credit he deserves — quietly effective and tactically intelligent.

Best Bets and Ones to Watch

Here's how I'd summarise the afternoon for those who like things neat and tidy:

  • Best Bet: Danielle (15:00, Lillie Langtry Stakes) — top-rated, course and distance form, Gosden and Buick. Hard to argue against.
  • Each-Way Value: Amelia Earhart (15:00) — Moore and O'Brien in a Group 2 is never something to ignore lightly.
  • Stewards' Cup Pick: Completely Random (15:35) — Ryan Moore, course and distance form, and Good to Firm ground. Ticks every box.
  • Sentimental Favourite: Al Aasy (14:25) — nine years old and still at the top table. Marquand aboard. Just go on, old son.
  • Opening Banker: Tarriance (13:50) — Colin Keane doesn't make this trip for fun, and the course and distance form on this ground is a real asset.

Whatever your approach — careful form study, gut feeling, or just backing anything with a name you like — today's card at Folkestone has something for everyone. Enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the racing, and may your selections run like the wind on this beautiful Good to Firm summer's afternoon. See you on the other side.