Our ambassador is setting the scene for the entire five‑day Goodwood Festival, starting with an electrifying opening day on Tuesday that features the prestigious Goodwood Cup. The highlight of the day, and perhaps the most anticipated contest, is the showdown between Scandinavia and Trawlerman in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (3.35). This clash, scheduled for the first day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, has me especially eager, as it promises to deliver a thrilling chapter in what is already shaping up to be an unforgettable week on the rolling hills of the Sussex Downs. Scandinavia, the current champion trained by Aidan O'Brien, earned his recent Group 1 triumph by out‑fighting Godolphin’s seasoned veteran in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
That hard‑won victory demonstrated his stamina and tenacity, and he now arrives at Goodwood with the confidence of a proven winner. The race is shaping up as a two‑horse duel, with Scandinavia expected to dominate once again. At four years younger than his rival and arguably in even better form this season, Scandinavia has the chance to emulate the achievements of Aidan O'Brien’s own Kyprios.
Kyprios captured the Goodwood Cup twice, cementing his place among the great stayers of recent years. If Scandinavia can repeat that feat, it would give the Ballydoyle mastermind his fourth Goodwood Cup victory in five years, underscoring his dominance in long‑distance Group 1 contests. Roger Varian’s Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb also looks appealing, but the horse faces a steep uphill battle. Rahiebb struggled to stay the marathon distance in the Gold Cup and, despite being dropped back half a mile for today’s contest, I find it hard to envision him challenging the market leaders.
The pace is likely to be strong, and Rahiebb will need a dramatic improvement to contend. For fans seeking the latest racing news, interviews and features, Sky Sports Racing remains the go‑to source. Their coverage will keep us updated on every twist and turn of the festival. Turning to the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood, if QIRAT breaks well and takes the early lead, I doubt any of his rivals will be able to pull him back.
QIRAT, a five‑year‑old trained by Ralph Beckett, shocked the racing world with a stunning upset in last year’s Sussex Stakes. He again impressed in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York, where he wore a tongue‑tie for the first time and still produced a front‑running performance.
Hollie Doyle also hinted that Thunder Call could play a significant role in the upcoming Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday. The Shergar Cup always attracts an international field, and Thunder Call’s speed may prove decisive. In other news, Jamie Lynch will field five horses at Ascot on Saturday as part of the Shergar Cup, while former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi.
At Ascot, Kalpana triumphed over Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and legendary jockey Ryan Moore was recently honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. Over at Epsom, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong Aidan O'Brien contingent for the Classic. Scandinavia could still improve, as the race may not demand a massive winning margin this year. I would give him the edge over Andrew Balding’s Marvelman, who also boasts a solid record.
Marvelman ran a spectacular race in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle after a long lay‑off and should be sharper now. He is already a Group 2 winner and, while needing to step up, poses a genuine threat. His stablemate Witness Stand, who won this race for me last year, looks stronger than his recent Chester performance and could make another bold bid. I also earmarked Pikachu as a horse to watch after his impressive run at Newmarket.
He returns in the Coral Vintage Stakes (2.25) at Goodwood, and I won’t overlook him. Charlie Johnston’s Amo Racing colt, who showed a strong finish in the Superlative Stakes after hitting a flat spot, may finally break his maiden over the seven‑furlong distance today.
Never miss a story: the latest racing news, interviews and features are just a tap away on your mobile device. Al Hudaiba appears to be the favourite in the upcoming race, having demonstrated high class when beating Pikachu in a Group 2.
Trainer Charlie Appleby has even considered adding blinkers to sharpen his focus. A more reliable option might be Aidan O'Brien’s Haffner, a promising son of Justify who built on his Curragh debut with a maiden win at Newmarket earlier this month. Though the competition is tougher, Haffner represents Ballydoyle for a reason and could be a solid contender.
Listed winner Liberty Lane, who captured a race at Goodwood previously, has dropped to an attractive weight and poses a danger to the field in the opening Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (1.50) at Goodwood. Karl Burke’s 2024 Cambridgeshire winner, who hasn’t raced off this mark in nearly two years, is well drawn in stall four under jockey Clifford Lee.
He hinted at a return to form at Sandown last time when fitted with cheekpieces, which remain in place for today’s assignment. My husband Tom’s Marquand‑ridden Yabher also has the potential for a bold performance after a strong showing over this course and distance in May, despite a disappointing run at York last time. The Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (4.10) at Goodwood promises to be fast and furious, and the rapid Lexington Blitz, who produced a huge effort in the Epsom Dash last month, could be the winner. Robert Cowell’s four‑year‑old, a proven course and distance specialist, looks well‑placed to win despite carrying just a pound above his usual mark.
Yet Richard Spencer’s pair Run Boy Run and Twilight Calls should not be underestimated. Spencer has a knack for winning big sprint handicaps, and he has enlisted the services of Ryan Moore’s son Toby, who claims a valuable 7‑lb allowance on Run Boy Run. Run Boy Run is well drawn in stall 17 for this sprint, while Newmarket winner Twilight Calls carries a respectable 90‑lb mark with in‑form jockey Saffie Osborne aboard. I will return with further analysis on Wednesday’s action at Goodwood, which includes the Group 1 Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes and the juvenile sprint Group 3 Molecomb Stakes.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, providing insights that will shape our expectations for the rest of the festival.