Our ambassador is setting the stage for the entire five‑day Goodwood Festival, starting with a thrilling opening day on Tuesday that features the prestigious Goodwood Cup. The headline clash that has captured my imagination is the much‑anticipated rematch between Scandinavia and Trawlerman in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (3.35). This contest, scheduled for the first day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, promises to be a highlight of what should be an unforgettable week on the rolling hills of the Sussex Downs.
Scandinavia, the current champion trained by Aidan O'Brien, edged out a hard‑fought duel with the seasoned Godolphin veteran in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. That victory confirmed his superiority in the Group 1 event, and the Goodwood Cup now appears set to become a two‑horse showdown, with Scandinavia once again the favorite. At four years younger than his rival and arguably in even better form this season, Scandinavia has the chance to echo the achievements of O'Brien’s own Kyprios by winning the Goodwood Cup for a second time.
If he succeeds, it would mark O'Brien’s fourth Goodwood Cup triumph in five years, underscoring the trainer’s dominance in long‑distance contests. Roger Varian’s Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb also looks attractive, but he faces a steep climb.
Rahiebb failed to stay the marathon distance in the Gold Cup, and while he will be dropping back a half‑mile for the Goodwood Cup, I doubt he can challenge the market leaders. The race will therefore likely be decided by the two proven stayers.
For the latest horse‑racing news, interviews and features, be sure to tune in to Sky Sports Racing. Turning to the sprint division, the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood will see QIRAT break from the gate. If he gets a good start, I don’t see any of his rivals being able to reel him back in. Ralph Beckett’s five‑year‑old, who caused a massive upset in last year’s Sussex Stakes, impressed me when he led from the front in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York, even wearing a tongue‑tie for the first time.
Hollie Doyle has 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 also feature five horses from Jamie Lynch’s stable, as international stars clash in a unique team competition. In other news, former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his charges Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, while at Ascot Kalpana edged out Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was recently awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, and Aidan O'Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong O'Brien contingent for the Epsom Derby.
Scandinavia could still improve, especially in a race that may not demand a massive effort this year, and I would place him ahead of Andrew Balding’s Marvelman. Scandinavia ran a superb race in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last month after a long lay‑off and should be sharper now. He already has a Group 2 win to his name, but a step up would make him a serious threat, especially with Witness Stand – the horse that won this race for me last year – looking better than his recent Chester performance and likely to make another bold bid. I have also earmarked Pikachu as a horse to watch after his impressive run at Newmarket, and I will not overlook his return in the Coral Vintage Stakes (2.25) at Goodwood.
Charlie Johnston’s Amo Racing colt showed great determination in the Superlative Stakes, recovering from a stumble to finish strongly, and could break his maiden over the seven‑furlong distance on his fourth attempt. Never miss a story: the latest racing news, interviews and features are now available on your mobile device. Al Hudaiba is likely to be the favourite in the opening Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (1.50) at Goodwood. He demonstrated high class when he beat Pikachu in a Group 2 contest, although his form is a bit inconsistent.
It will be interesting to see Charlie Appleby apply blinkers in an attempt to sharpen his focus. A more reliable option may 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 tougher, Haffner represents Ballydoyle for a reason and could be a solid contender. Listed winner Liberty Lane, who captured a race at Goodwood previously, has dropped to an attractive weight and poses a danger to all in the opening Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap. Karl Burke’s 2024 Cambridgeshire winner has not 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 cheekpieces will remain for this assignment. My husband Tom’s Marquand‑trained mount Yabher is also capable of a bold showing after a strong performance over the same course and distance in May, though he was disappointing at York last time and will be looking to prove himself in a competitive handicap. The Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (4.10) at Goodwood promises to be fast and furious, and I expect the rapid Lexington Blitz – who produced a huge effort in the Epsom Dash last month – to be a serious contender. Robert Cowell’s four‑year‑old, a proven course and distance winner, looks well‑placed to win despite carrying just one pound above his usual mark.
However, 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 Toby Moore, son of Ryan Moore, who claims a valuable seven‑pound allowance on Run Boy Run. Run Boy Run is drawn in stall 17, a favorable position for a sprint, while Newmarket winner Twilight Calls carries a respectable 90‑pound mark and will be partnered by the in‑form Saffie Osborne.
I will return with my analysis on Wednesday’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 about these upcoming contests.