Our racing guru casts an expert eye over the week’s highlights from Glorious Goodwood.
GOODWOOD CUP
Having returned with a bang in 2024, Kyprios is red-hot favourite to achieve a second success in the historic, Al Shaqab-sponsored Goodwood Cup (Tuesday, 3-35) having displayed all his brilliance in the Gold Cup at Ascot, with main opponents Sweet William, Coltrane and Gregory all toiling in his wake.
At the age of eight, 2021 winner Trueshan (runner-up to Kyprios a year later) isn’t quite the force of old but this popular hero won’t lack for support.
LENNOX STAKES
What an intriguing Lennox Stakes immediately before (Tuesday, 3-00). Kinross, another Festival regular, goes for a third victory in four years, and faces a formidable set of opponents in the progressive English Oak, Godolphin’s in-form Noble Dynasty (conqueror of English Oaks on Guineas weekend) and the loveable Tiber Flow.
Goodwood will be hoping the line-up and result provide further evidence that the race should have Group One status.
SUSSEX STAKES
Rosallion looks to enhance his already giant reputation in Wednesday’s outstanding Qatar Sussex Stakes (3-35), a race his stable has often targeted with its superstars.
Richard Hannon believes the colt, now facing older horses for the first time, has improved markedly since the near-miss against the re-opposing Notable Speech in the Newmarket Guineas, and through victories in the Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes, when Henry Longfellow (also back for more) was beaten a neck.
After Saturday’s giant-killing exploits of Goliath and following his own luckless time at the Royal meeting, the challenge of France’s Facteur Cheval, last year’s runner-up behind Paddington, needs to be taken very seriously.
NASSAU STAKES
Also from France, the filly Sparkling Plenty, which got the better of a four-way finish to the Prix de Diane, provides extra glitter against Emily Upjohn and Opera Singer in the Qatar Nassau Stakes (Thursday 3-35).
KING GEORGE V STAKES
In the King George V Stakes (Friday 3-35), supporters of Big Evs, Believing and Kerdos may be pinning hopes on the unique course at Goodwood being the undoing of Aussie sprinter Asfoora, their comprehensive conqueror in the Charles III at Ascot. She probably should have won at Haydock too.
STEWARDS’ CUP
In the closing day’s Stewards’ Cup (3-35), Seven Questions, for in-form, Fitzdares-sponsored George Scott, may provide the answers, back up to six furlongs after a productive time at five.
For all your Goodwood bets, visit Fitzdares’ dedicated horse racing betting page.
