Our ambassador is setting the scene for all five days of the Goodwood Festival, starting with an electrifying opening day on Tuesday that features the prestigious Goodwood Cup. One of the most anticipated clashes on the first day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the showdown between SCANDINAVIA and Trawlerman in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (3.35).
This race has captured my imagination and I am looking forward to it as a highlight of what promises to be a spectacular week on the rolling Sussex Downs. Aidan O'Brien’s reigning champion, Scandinavia, edged out a hard‑fought duel with Godolphin’s seasoned veteran in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, confirming his superiority in that Group 1 event.
The Goodwood Cup now appears set for a similar two‑horse duel, with Scandinavia again positioned as the favorite. Four years younger than his rival and arguably in even better form this season, Scandinavia has the chance to emulate Aidan O'Brien’s own Kyprios by securing a second Goodwood Cup win. If he succeeds, it will be O'Brien’s fourth Goodwood Cup triumph in five years, underscoring the Ballydoyle dominance in long‑distance contests. Roger Varian’s Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb also looks attractive, but he faces a steep hill.
Rahiebb struggled to stay the marathon distance in the Gold Cup and, although he is being dropped back half a mile, I find it hard to see him challenging the market leaders on the day. For those who want the latest horse‑racing news, interviews and feature pieces, Sky Sports Racing remains the go‑to source. Turning to the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood, if QIRAT breaks well and takes the lead, I doubt any of his rivals will be able to pull him back.
Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, who produced a stunning upset in last year’s Sussex Stakes, impressed me again when he led from the front in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York, this time 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 on Saturday.
The Shergar Cup will see Jamie Lynch field five horses at Ascot, as international stars clash for glory. Kevin Doyle, the former Premier League striker, is now chasing Cheltenham Festival success with his charges Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. At Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes duel. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was awarded an MBE in the recent King’s Birthday Honours, a fitting recognition of his contributions to the sport.
In the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini heads a four‑strong Aidan O'Brien contingent for the Epsom Classic. Scandinavia could still improve, and I would give him the edge over Andrew Balding’s Marvelman in the Goodwood Cup.
Scandinavia ran a spectacular race in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last month after returning from a long break, and he should be sharper this time. He is already a Group 2 winner, but a step up to Goodwood would cement his status as a serious threat. Meanwhile, Witness Stand, who won this race for me last year, appears stronger than his recent Chester effort and could launch another bold bid. I have also earmarked PIKACHU as a horse to watch after his impressive run at Newmarket.
He will contest the Coral Vintage Stakes (2.25) at Goodwood, and I am not discounting his chances. Charlie Johnston’s Amo Racing colt showed great determination in the Superlative Stakes after hitting a flat spot, and he may finally break his maiden over the seven‑furlong distance at Goodwood. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are always at your fingertips on your mobile device.
Al Hudaiba looks the likely favourite, having demonstrated high ability when beating Pikachu in a Group 2 event. However, his form is a bit complicated, and trainer Charlie Appleby has opted for blinkers to help him focus.
A more dependable 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 the Ballydoyle team for a reason.
LIBERTY LANE, a Listed winner at Goodwood, has been dropped to an attractive handicap mark, making him a genuine danger in the opening Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (1.50) at Goodwood. Karl Burke’s 2024 Cambridgeshire winner has not raced off this mark in almost two years.
He is well drawn in stall four under Clifford Lee. He hinted at a return to form at Sandown when fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, and those cheekpieces will stay on for this assignment. My husband Tom’s Marquand‑trained mount Yabher also has the potential to make a bold statement after a strong performance over the 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 a fast and furious affair, and the rapid Lexington Blitz, who ran a huge race in the Epsom Dash last month, could be the one to take it. Robert Cowell’s four‑year‑old, a proven course and distance winner, looks well‑placed to win despite carrying just one pound above his usual mark. However, Richard Spencer’s pair Run Boy Run and Twilight Calls should not be underestimated.
Richard 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. Run Boy Run is well drawn in stall 17 for a race of this nature, while Newmarket winner Twilight Calls carries a respectable handicap mark of 90 with the in‑form Saffie Osborne in the saddle. I will return on Wednesday with my analysis of the action at Goodwood, which will feature 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, offering her insights into the day’s races and what to expect from the field.
Overall, the Goodwood Festival promises a blend of high‑class Group races, intriguing handicaps, and the ever‑present drama of seasoned veterans testing younger talent. Fans can look forward to strategic rides, potential upsets, and the continued dominance of trainers like Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Appleby. Whether you are a casual observer or a seasoned punter, the five‑day programme offers something for everyone, and the Goodwood Cup will likely be the centerpiece, with Scandinavia aiming to write his name alongside the greats of the sport.