Our ambassador is offering a day‑by‑day preview of the entire Goodwood Festival, starting with the thrilling opening day on Tuesday, highlighted by the Goodwood Cup. The centerpiece of that first day is the much‑anticipated rematch between Scandinavia and Trawlerman in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (3.35). This duel promises to be a highlight of what looks set to be an unforgettable week on the rolling hills of the Sussex Downs.
Scandinavia, the reigning champion trained by Aidan O'Brien, edged out Godolphin’s seasoned veteran in a hard‑fought Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. That performance confirmed his superiority in the Group 1 showcase, and the upcoming Goodwood Cup appears poised to be a repeat of that two‑horse showdown. The horse is now four years younger than his rival and appears even sharper, giving him the chance to emulate the great Kyprios – also an O'Brien trainee – by securing a second Goodwood Cup win and delivering the Ballydoyle master his fourth victory in the race over the past five years.
Roger Varian’s Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb looks attractive on paper, but the colt struggled to stay the marathon distance in the Gold Cup and is unlikely to pose a serious threat to the market leaders, even though he will be dropping back half a mile for the Goodwood test. For those who want the latest racing news, interviews and features, Sky Sports Racing remains the go‑to source. If Qirat takes the lead in the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood, I doubt any of his rivals will be able to reel him back in.
Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, who caused a major upset in last year’s Sussex Stakes, impressed me with a front‑running effort in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York, especially after wearing a tongue‑tie for the first time. Hollie Doyle also hinted that Thunder Call could play a role in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Saturday. In the Shergar Cup, Jamie Lynch will have five horses to watch as international stars clash on the course.
Kevin Doyle, the former Premier League striker, is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his charges Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. Meanwhile, at Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and legendary jockey Ryan Moore was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. The Derby will see Benvenuto Cellini head a four‑strong Aidan O'Brien contingent for the Epsom Classic. Scandinavia could still improve further in a race that may not demand a massive winning effort this year, and I would give him the edge over Andrew Balding’s Marvelman.
Scandinavia delivered a spectacular performance in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last month after returning from a long break, and he should be even sharper now. Already a Group 2 winner, he needs to take another step forward and looks a genuine threat, while Witness Stand – the horse that won this race for me last year – appears better than his showing at Chester and could launch another bold bid. I also earmarked Pikachu as a horse to watch after his impressive run at Newmarket, so I won’t overlook him when he re‑appears in the Coral Vintage Stakes (2.25) at Goodwood. Charlie Johnston’s Amo Racing colt broke strongly in the Superlative Stakes after hitting a flat spot and could finally break his maiden on this seven‑furlong trip.
Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are available on your mobile device. The likely favourite Al Hudaiba displayed great talent when beating Pikachu in a Group 2 race, but his form is a little complicated. It’s interesting that Charlie Appleby has opted for blinkers in an attempt 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 will be tougher, Haffner represents Team Ballydoyle for a reason. Liberty Lane, a Listed winner at Goodwood, has dropped to a tempting mark, making him a danger to all in the opening Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (1.50) at Goodwood. Karl Burke’s 2024 Cambridgeshire winner hasn’t raced off this mark in nearly two years but is well drawn in stall four under Clifford Lee.
He hinted at a return to form at Sandown last time when first‑time cheekpieces were used, and those cheekpieces will stay on for this assignment. My husband Tom’s Marquand‑rider Yabher also has the potential to make a bold statement after a strong run over this course and distance in May, despite a disappointing effort at York last time. He will be looking to prove himself in this competitive handicap. The Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (4.10) at Goodwood promises to be fast and furious and could belong to the rapid Lexington Blitz, who produced a huge performance in the Epsom Dash last month.
Robert Cowell’s four‑year‑old, a proven course and distance winner, looks well‑placed to win even with a slightly higher mark, but don’t underestimate Richard Spencer’s pair Run Boy Run and Twilight Calls. Spencer has a knack for winning big sprint handicaps and has enlisted the services of Ryan Moore’s son Toby, who claims a valuable 7‑pound allowance on Run Boy Run. Toby is well drawn in stall 17 for a race of this nature, while Newmarket winner Twilight Calls remains well handicapped at a mark of 90 with in‑form jockey Saffie Osborne aboard. I will return on Wednesday with my thoughts on the next day’s action at Goodwood, which includes the Group 1 Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes and the exciting juvenile sprint, the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, sharing her insights and excitement for the festival’s upcoming races.