Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her perspective on the marquee handicap of the weekend – the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood. The sight of twenty‑eight horses thundering down the famed Goodwood hill is one of the most exhilarating moments in the sport, and this year’s Coral Stewards’ Cup (3.35) certainly lived up to the hype.
While the race is wide open, I can’t stop thinking about James Owen’s likely top choice, Far Above Dream. The four‑year‑old has all the ingredients for a winning run: solid recent form, a proven record on the Goodwood track, and a favourable draw. He posted 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 shown he can handle the course and distance back in May. Since then he has progressed up the handicap ladder, yet he can still race off the same weight he carried at the Royal Meeting, demonstrating his affinity for the fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment of a big‑field handicap.
For a trainer on the rise, he represents the kind of horse that thrives when the field is packed and the pace is relentless. Another contender that has caught my eye is Ollie Sangster’s Tuco Salamanca, piloted by the promising Irish jockey Dylan Browne‑McMonagle. Although Tuco’s recent victories have come on all‑weather surfaces – including a strong showing at Newcastle last month – he also possesses a respectable record on turf and benefits from a handy middle draw. His versatility and ability to adapt to different ground conditions make him a genuine threat in a race where anything can happen.
In my weekend blog I highlighted Charles Hills’s lightly raced seven‑year‑old Mitbaahy as a ‘Hot Shot’. I won’t be surprised if he makes the frame at generous odds after a second‑place finish in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury. Mitbaahy’s late‑season improvement suggests he could be a dark horse capable of upsetting the more fancied runners. The Stewards’ Cup is just one of many exciting storylines this Saturday.
For instance, Thunder Call is set to feature in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Jamie Lynch will have five horses to watch as international stars clash in the Shergar Cup, while former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. At Ascot, Kalpana will take on Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Meanwhile, Benvenuto Cellini will lead a four‑strong Aidan O’Brien team in the Epsom Derby. Turning to the Group Two Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (3.00) on Saturday, Santorini Star possesses the class and stamina to add a third Group Two win to her résumé, joining her victories in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster and the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. The five‑year‑old, trained by William Haggas, suffered a minor setback in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, but the race at Goodwood is an ideal fit for a mare that stays well and has previously shown winning form at the venue. Her main rival is likely to be the Owen Burrows‑trained Waardah, the 2022 winner of this race, who has since been outclassed by Group One winner Estrange in a Group Three at Carlisle.
Although Waardah is returning after a long break, Santorini Star’s overall profile and proven ability on the Goodwood track give her the edge. In the Group Three Coral Glorious Stakes (2.25), Haggas also has market favourites Al Aasy and Opportunity, but I expect the veteran to secure a third consecutive win. Tom Marquand will be looking to replicate Jim Crowley’s success from a year ago, and the Shadwell‑owned Sea The Stars gelding should deliver another committed performance. He remains one of the most consistent performers on the circuit and should be able to out‑pace the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes winner Opportunity, who showed improvement at Royal Ascot but may struggle to find the same level against seasoned Group company.
Godolphin’s Valedictory will be well supported in the Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap (1.50), and I anticipate a strong challenge from the Irish runner Aeronautic, who could improve on his third‑place finish last year. Joseph O’Brien’s five‑year‑old also looks like a sleeper, having finished fourth in the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal Meeting.
Though he hasn’t won for a while, he has proven he can be highly competitive when carrying a mark of 97. Valedictory, who won over the same course and distance in May after being fitted with cheek‑pieces, will need to overcome a three‑pound penalty after a narrow win at Newmarket, making the race a true test of class.
Charlie Johnston’s Align The Stars, a past Northumberland Plate victor, is another horse to watch. While he has never won carrying a triple‑digit rating, his experience over the distance could prove decisive. Meanwhile, promising apprentice Jack Nicholls will have the chance to shine 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 Jack’s three‑pound claim could give him a decisive edge after successful outings at Pontefract and Catterick earlier in the summer.
Richard Hughes’s Startled, now partnered with talented claimer Harry Vigors, has been performing well. After a solid second‑place finish on the course and distance in May, he should be in contention. In other news, Bow Echo delivered the performance of the week at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, showcasing a blistering turn of foot to win the Group One Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (4.10) and extending his unbeaten record to six. The horse’s brilliance reflects the skill of his young jockey Billy Loughnane, whose maturity behind the reins of George Boughey’s superstar was evident.
Overcoming a difficult situation on the Downs, Billy executed a cool, confident 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 installed at home as part of my rehabilitation. The chamber raises air pressure to deliver 100 % oxygen directly into the bloodstream, which accelerates healing.
Spending an hour a day inside has become a staple of my recovery routine. I continue with a rigorous gym programme and physiotherapy at Oaksey House in Lambourn five days a week, although I still cannot pinpoint an exact return date to the saddle.
The road to full fitness remains uncertain, but I remain optimistic about the future and eager to get back in the saddle when the time is right.