Our ambassador is setting the stage for the entire five‑day Goodwood Festival, kicking off with an electrifying opening day on Tuesday that features the prestigious Goodwood Cup. One of the most anticipated contests of the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the rematch between Scandinavia and Trawlerman in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (3.35).
The race, scheduled for the first day of the meeting, promises to be a highlight of what is already shaping up to be an unforgettable week on the rolling hills of the Sussex Downs. Scandinavia, the reigning champion trained by Aidan O'Brien, edged out a hard‑fought duel with Godolphin’s seasoned veteran in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
That victory confirmed his superiority in the Group 1 showcase, and the upcoming Goodwood Cup looks set to repeat the two‑horse showdown. If he can repeat his performance, Scandinavia would join the ranks of Aidan’s own Kyprios, who has already claimed the Goodwood Cup twice, and would hand the Ballydoyle stable its fourth Goodwood Cup triumph in five seasons. Roger Varian’s Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb also looks appealing, but he faces a steep challenge.
Though he struggled to stay the marathon distance in the Gold Cup, dropping back a half‑mile may suit him better. Still, I doubt he can overturn the market leaders on the day.
For the latest horse‑racing news, interviews and features, tune in to Sky Sports Racing. If Qirat takes the lead in the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood, I don’t see any of his rivals being able to pull him back. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, who shocked everyone with a massive upset in last year’s Sussex Stakes, impressed me again when he led from the front in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York, 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.
Jamie Lynch will have five of his horses in the Shergar Cup, as international stars clash in the classic team competition. Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with the likes of Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. Meanwhile at Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes showdown.
Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was recently awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, a fitting tribute to his decades of success. In the Derby, Aidan O’Brien will lead a four‑horse Ballydoyle contingent with Benvenuto Cellini front‑running for the Epsom Classic. Scandinavia could still improve, especially in a race that may not demand a massive winning margin this year.
I would give him the edge over Andrew Balding’s Marvelman, who ran a spectacular race in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle after a long lay‑off and should be sharper now. Marvelman, a Group 2 winner, needs to step up but looks a genuine threat, while last year’s winner Witness Stand, who performed well at Chester, may also mount a serious bid. I have also earmarked Pikachu as a horse to watch after his impressive run at Newmarket.
He will return in the Coral Vintage Stakes (2.25) at Goodwood, and I won’t overlook him. Charlie Johnston’s Amo Racing colt showed great determination in the Superlative Stakes after hitting a flat spot, and could break his maiden on his fourth attempt over the seven‑furlong distance. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are just a tap away on your phone. Al Hudaiba is likely to be the favourite.
He demonstrated high class when beating Pikachu in a Group 2, but his form is a little complicated. Charlie Appleby has opted for blinkers to help him focus, adding an extra 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 step up is tough, Haffner represents Ballydoyle for a reason and could be a solid pick.
Liberty Lane, a Listed winner at Goodwood, has dropped to an attractive mark, making him a danger 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 he is well drawn in stall four under Clifford Lee.
He hinted at a return to form at Sandown when first‑time cheekpieces were used, and those pieces will be retained for this assignment. My husband Tom’s Marquand‑rider, 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.
The Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (4.10) at Goodwood promises to be fast and furious, and the rapid Lexington Blitz, who produced a huge effort 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 off 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 he has enlisted the services of Ryan Moore’s son Toby, who claims a valuable 7‑lb allowance on Run Boy Run. Run Boy Run is well drawn in stall 17, while Newmarket winner Twilight Calls carries a respectable 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 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, sharing her insights and excitement for the festival ahead.