Our ambassador is offering a day‑by‑day preview of the five‑day Qatar Goodwood Festival, kicking off with an exciting opening day that features the prestigious Goodwood Cup. The headline clash on Tuesday will see Scandinavia take on Trawlerman in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (3.35).
This re‑match is one of the most anticipated contests of the week and promises to set the tone for an exhilarating program on the Sussex Downs. Scandinavia, the reigning champion trained by Aidan O'Brien, edged out Godolphin’s seasoned veteran in a hard‑fought duel at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. That performance confirmed his superiority in the Group 1 showcase, and the Goodwood Cup now looks set to become a two‑horse showdown. Four years younger than his rival and arguably in even better form, Scandinavia has the chance to follow in the footsteps of O'Brien’s own Kyprios by winning the race for a second time, delivering the Ballydoyle trainer his fourth Goodwood Cup triumph in five seasons.
Roger Varian’s Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb also looks attractive, but the horse will face a steep climb. Rahiebb struggled to stay the marathon distance in the Gold Cup and, although he is being dropped back by half a mile, it is hard to see him overtaking the market favourites on the day.
For the latest horse‑racing news, interviews and features, Sky Sports Racing remains the go‑to source. If Qirat leads the field in the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood, his front‑running style suggests he will be difficult for his rivals to pull back.
Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, who produced a stunning upset in last year’s Sussex Stakes, impressed with a bold front‑running effort in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York, notably 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 feature five horses from Jamie Lynch’s stable as international stars clash. Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi.
Meanwhile, at Ascot, Kalpana overcame Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes battle, and legendary jockey Ryan Moore was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. In the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong Aidan O'Brien team for the Epsom Classic.
The trainer may have room for further improvement in a race that might not produce a dominant winner this year, and I would give Scandinavia the edge over Andrew Balding’s Marvelman. Scandinavia delivered a smashing performance in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last month after returning from a lengthy break, and he should be sharper this time. Already a Group 2 winner, he needs to step up again and looks a serious threat, while Witness Stand, who won this race for me last year, appears stronger than his showing at Chester and could mount another bold bid.
I have also nominated Pikachu as a horse to watch after his impressive run at Newmarket. He will make his re‑appearance in the Coral Vintage Stakes (2.25) at Goodwood, and I am not discounting his chances. Charlie Johnston’s Amo Racing colt broke well in the Superlative Stakes after hitting a flat spot and could finally break his maiden over the seven‑furlong distance on his fourth attempt. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are available on your phone.
Find out more. The likely favourite Al Hudaiba demonstrated his talent when beating Pikachu in a Group 2, but his form is a bit complicated. Charlie Appleby has opted for blinkers to help him focus, adding another layer of intrigue.
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 good reason. Listed winner Liberty Lane, who triumphed 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 has not raced off this mark in nearly two years and is well drawn in stall four under Clifford Lee. He hinted at a return to form at Sandown last time, sporting first‑time cheekpieces that will be retained for this assignment. My husband Tom’s Marquand‑trained mount Yabher is also capable of a bold performance after a strong showing over this course and distance in May, though he was disappointing at York last time and will be eager to prove himself in a competitive handicap. The Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (4.10) at Goodwood promises to be fast and furious and could be won by the rapid Lexington Blitz, who ran a huge race in the Epsom Dash last month.
Robert Cowell’s four‑year‑old, a proven course and distance winner, looks well placed to win this race off a mark just one pound higher, 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 seven‑pound allowance on Run Boy Run.
Run Boy Run is well drawn in stall 17 for a race of this type, while Newmarket winner Twilight Calls remains well handicapped at a mark of 90, with in‑form jockey Saffie Osborne in the saddle. 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, providing insider insight into the festival’s key storylines and the horses to watch as the Goodwood Festival unfolds.