Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her perspective on the marquee handicap of the weekend – the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood. The spectacle of twenty‑eight thoroughbreds thundering down Goodwood’s famed downhill straight is one of the most thrilling sights in the sport, and this year’s Coral Stewards’ Cup (3.35) certainly lived up to its reputation. While the race is wide open, my mind keeps returning to James Owen’s likely favourite, Far Above Dream.
The four‑year‑old has all the ingredients for success: solid form, a proven affinity for the Goodwood track, and a draw that places him advantageously. He recorded a career‑best performance when he finished a close fourth in the Wokingham, just behind his talented stable‑mate Soldier’s Tree, after having already demonstrated his ability over the same course and distance back in May. Since then he has progressed up the handicap ladder and appears capable of reproducing the same rating he carried at The Royal Meeting.
If he continues to relish the fast‑paced, cut‑and‑thrust nature of a big‑field handicap, he could be the one to beat for an ambitious trainer looking to climb the ranks. Another contender that has caught my eye is Ollie Sangster’s Tuco Salamanca, piloted by the promising Irish jockey Dylan Browne‑McMonagle.
Though Tuco’s recent victories have come on all‑weather surfaces – including a respectable win at Newcastle against strong competition last month – he also boasts a respectable record on turf and enjoys a favourable middle draw. That combination of versatility and a decent starting position makes him a genuine threat in a race where anything can happen.
In my previous weekend blog I highlighted Charles Hills’s lightly‑raced seven‑year‑old Mitbaahy as my "Hot Shot". I would not be surprised if the horse makes the frame at generous odds, especially after a commendable second place in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury. Mitbaahy’s improvement suggests he could be a dark horse capable of upsetting the more fancied runners. The rest of the racing news roundup includes a variety of stories: Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi; Kalpana edged out Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot; legendary jockey Ryan Moore received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours; Aidan O’Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong team for the Epsom Derby; and Kevin Blake of At The Races has offered his selections for Derby day.
In a darker note, former jockey Levi Williams was sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a pub altercation. Turning to the Group Two Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood, Santorini Star appears to have the class and stamina to add another Group Two win to her résumé, which already includes the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster and the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. Trained by William Haggas, the five‑year‑old suffered a minor setback in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, but this race is perfectly suited to a mare who stays well and has previously thrived at Goodwood. Her main rival is likely to be the Owen Burrows‑trained Waardah, the winner of this event last year, though Waardah’s recent form – a lackluster effort in a Group Three at Carlisle after a Group One triumph in the Pretty Polly Stakes – suggests she may not be at her peak.
Santorini Star’s overall profile, including her proven staying ability and track record, makes her the more compelling choice. In the Group Three Coral Glorious Stakes (2.25) on Saturday, Haggas again holds the reins, with market favourites Al Aasy and Opportunity attracting attention. I anticipate the veteran to claim a third consecutive victory in this contest. Tom Marquand will likely aim to emulate Jim Crowley’s tactics from a year ago, hoping to extract a committed performance from the Shadwell‑owned Sea The Stars gelding.
The horse has shown he can still compete at a high level, and could well outpace the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes winner Opportunity, who displayed a step‑up in class at Royal Ascot but may find the drop back to Group level challenging. Godolphin’s Valedictory is well‑supported in the Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap (1.50) on Saturday, and I expect him to be a strong contender. However, I am also placing a bet on Irish runner Aeronautic, who could improve on his third‑place finish in the same race last year. Joseph O’Brien’s five‑year‑old, who finished fourth in the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal Meeting, looks like a latent winner.
Although he has not won for some time, his performance at a 97 rating shows he can be highly competitive when carrying that weight. Valedictory, who won over the same distance in May after being equipped with cheek‑pieces, will face a three‑pound penalty after a narrow victory at Newmarket.
This added weight could test John and Thady Gosden’s gelding, making the race more open. Another horse worth watching is Charlie Johnston’s Align The Stars, a former Northumberland Plate winner who has never carried a triple‑digit rating but could rise to the occasion.
Apprentice Jack Nicholls has a chance to make a name for himself in the Phase Eight Handicap (4.10) on Saturday, riding Naval Light for trainer Karl Burke. The three‑year‑old carries a relatively low weight, and Nicholls’s three‑pound claim could give him a decisive edge, especially after recent victories at Pontefract and Catterick. Startled has been performing admirably for Richard Hughes, who has paired the horse with talented claimer Harry Vigors for this assignment. Startled’s recent second‑place finish on the same course and distance in May suggests he will be in contention.
Among the highlights of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Bow Echo delivered the performance of the week, showcasing a blistering turn of foot to claim the Group One Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (4.10) on Wednesday, extending his unbeaten record to six. The horse’s brilliance was matched by his young jockey Billy Loughnane, whose maturity and composure were evident throughout the race. Navigating a tricky situation on the Downs, Loughnane executed a flawless ride that will be remembered by racing fans for years to come. On a personal note, since my fall in May, I have been using a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that we installed at home.
The chamber raises air pressure, delivering 100 % pure oxygen into the bloodstream, which aids the healing process. Spending an hour each day inside has become a key part of my rehabilitation routine. I continue to follow a rigorous gym programme and physiotherapy schedule at Oaksey House in Lambourn, training five days a week. While I am still uncertain about a definitive comeback date, the progress I am making gives me optimism for a return to racing in the near future.