Our correspondent is setting the stage for all five days of the Goodwood Festival, beginning with a thrilling opening day on Tuesday that features the prestigious Goodwood Cup. One of the most anticipated match‑ups 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 duel has captured my imagination and I am looking forward to it as part of what promises to be an unforgettable week on the rolling hills of the Sussex Downs. Scandinavia, the current champion trained by Aidan O'Brien, previously edged out a determined challenge from Godolphin’s seasoned veteran in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
That hard‑fought victory confirmed his superiority in the Group 1 event, and the Goodwood Cup now appears set to become a two‑horse contest, with Scandinavia again taking centre stage. Four years younger than the horse that won the race in 2022, Scandinavia looks even sharper this season.
If he can replicate the feat of Aidan O'Brien’s earlier winner Kyprios and capture the Goodwood Cup for a second time, he will hand the Ballydoyle master his fourth Goodwood Cup triumph in five years – a remarkable record that underscores O’Brien’s dominance in long‑distance racing. Roger Varian’s Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb also looks attractive, but he faces a steep uphill battle.
Although Rahiebb showed stamina over the marathon distance in the Gold Cup, he seemed to struggle to stay the full trip. Dropping back a half‑mile to the Goodwood distance may suit him, yet I doubt he can dislodge the market favourites.
For the latest horse‑racing news, interviews and in‑depth features, keep an eye on Sky Sports Racing. If QIRAT takes the lead in the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood, I do not see any of his rivals being able to pull him back.
Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, who shocked everyone with 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, even wearing a tongue‑tie for the first time. Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. Meanwhile, at Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in a dramatic King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and legendary jockey Ryan Moore was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
In the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini heads a four‑horse Aidan O'Brien team for the Epsom Classic, while At The Races’ Kevin Blake offers his selections for Derby day. In other news, former jockey Levi Williams was sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a violent altercation outside a pub.
Scandinavia could still improve, especially in a race where he may not be forced to give his all this year. I would give him the edge over Andrew Balding’s Marvelman, who, although a Group 2 winner, needs to take another step forward. Marvelman ran a brilliant race in the Chipchase at Newcastle last month after a long break and should be sharper now. He poses a genuine threat, while last year’s winner Witness Stand, who underperformed at Chester, is likely to make a bold bid this time.
I have also highlighted 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 on his return. Charlie Johnston’s Amo Racing colt, who broke through strongly in the Superlative Stakes after hitting a flat spot, may finally break his maiden over the seven‑furlong trip at Goodwood. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are available on your mobile device.
Find out more. Al Hudaiba is likely to be the favourite in the upcoming race. He demonstrated his class when he beat Pikachu in a Group 2 contest, but his temperament can be tricky. It will be interesting to see Charlie Appleby employ blinkers to help him 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. While the competition will be stiff, Haffner represents Team Ballydoyle for a reason and could be a solid contender. LIBERTY LANE, a Listed winner at Goodwood, has been dropped to a tempting weight, making him a danger to all in the opening Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (1.50) at Goodwood. Karl Burke’s 2024 Cambridgeshire winner has not raced off this mark in nearly two years and draws a favourable stall position under Clifford Lee in stall four.
He hinted at a return to form at Sandown last time, wearing cheekpieces for the first time – equipment that will stay on for this assignment. My husband Tom’s mount Yabher also has the potential to make a bold statement after a strong performance over this course and distance in May, despite a disappointing run at York last time. He will be looking to prove himself in a highly competitive handicap.
The Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (4.10) at Goodwood promises to be fast and furious. A strong candidate is the rapid LEXINGTON BLITZ, who delivered a huge effort in the Epsom Dash last month. Robert Cowell’s four‑year‑old, a proven course and distance winner, looks well‑placed to win off a slightly higher weight, but do not 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‑lb allowance for Run Boy Run. Run Boy Run is well drawn in stall 17 for this type of race, while Newmarket winner Twilight Calls carries a respectable mark of 90 and will be partnered by the in‑form Saffie Osborne. I will return with my thoughts on Wednesday’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.