Goodwood racing tips: Iberian ready to progress under William Buick in Vintage Stakes

15:25 Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes (7 furlongs)

Haatem won easily in a minor maiden affair at Bath in May, but has failed to finish within three lengths of the winner in his last three higher-profile outings, and he looks a vulnerable market leader.

That leaves fellow joint-favourite Golden Mind as a potentially stronger option if he can find a little extra than when a close-up third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out.

However, they might find their stiffest challenge coming from the Charlie Hills-trained Iberian, who is open to plenty of improvement after finishing comfortably clear of a dozen rivals on his solitary outing at Newbury in mid-June.

That was in a novice event over the same distance as here, and if he can cope with the cut in the Goodwood turf, then he is sure to be prominent in the final stages, while the booking of William Buick can only enhance his prospects.

Suggested bet: Iberian in the 15:25 at Goodwood

Of the others, Mountain Bear has the quality to step up in trip under Ryan Moore, while there has been some interest from Tipstrr's each-way pundits for Hugo Palmer's progressive colt, Soldier's Gold.

Since following up a fourth-placed finish on debut at Haydock with a runner-up spot at Newbury, Soldier's Gold stepped up a gear to land a nine-runner novice stakes at Carlisle in late June.

He quickly confirmed that form last time out 18 days ago, when he defied top weight to romp home more than three lengths clear of the nearest of his nine rivals in a nursery handicap at Ascot.

Richard Kingscote retains the ride after that impressive effort, and the ease of that last success suggests that Soldier's Gold is equipped to cope with this step up in grade and distance, and could well outrun his current double-digit odds.

Each-way punt: Soldier's Gold each-way in the 15:25 at Goodwood