Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her insights on Saturday's marquee handicap, the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood. The spectacle of twenty‑eight horses thundering down Goodwood’s famous hill is a hallmark of the sport, and this year’s Coral Stewards' Cup Handicap (3.35) lived up to its reputation, delivering a truly thrilling contest.
While the race is wide open, I keep returning to James Owen’s most likely contender, Far Above Dream. The four‑year‑old has all the ingredients for success: solid form, a proven affinity for 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 stablemate 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 repeating the same rating he carried at The Royal Meeting. For a trainer on the rise, Far Above Dream could be the perfect illustration of a horse that thrives in a large, fast‑paced handicap.
Another horse that has earned a spot on my shortlist is Ollie Sangster’s Tuco Salamanca, who will be piloted by the promising Irish jockey Dylan Browne‑McMonagle. Although Tuco Salamanca’s recent victories have come on all‑weather surfaces – including a notable win at Newcastle against strong opposition – he also possesses respectable turf form and enjoys a convenient middle draw that could prove advantageous in a crowded field. In last weekend’s blog I highlighted Charles Hills’s lightly‑run seven‑year‑old Mitbaahy as my "Hot Shot" for the day, and I would not be surprised if he manages to place despite being offered long odds after his runner‑up finish in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.
Mitbaahy’s improvement suggests he could be a real factor in a race where anything can happen. Beyond the Stewards’ Cup, there are several other stories worth noting.
Hollie Doyle mentioned that Thunder Call is likely to feature in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday. Jamie Lynch’s five entries at Ascot promise an exciting international showdown, while former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. In other headlines, Kalpana triumphed over Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ryan Moore received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, and Benvenuto Cellini leads an Aidan O'Brien quartet in the Epsom Derby. Turning to the Group Two Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (3.00) at Goodwood, Santorini Star appears to have the class and stamina to add a third Group Two victory to her résumé, joining her wins in 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 the race at Goodwood suits her staying ability and her proven record on the course. Her closest rival on the market is the Owen Burrows‑trained Waardah, the 2022 winner of this event, who has since been outclassed by Group One winner Estrange in a Group Three at Carlisle.
While Waardah is making her first start since last autumn, Santorini Star’s overall credentials remain more compelling. In the Group Three Coral Glorious Stakes (2.25) on Saturday, Haggas again holds the reins with market favourites Al Aasy and Opportunity. I anticipate the veteran to secure a third consecutive win in this contest.
Tom Marquand is expected to give the horse a tactical ride, reminiscent of Jim Crowley’s approach a year ago, and the Shadwell‑owned gelding, a product of the legendary Sea The Stars line, looks as sharp as ever. His proven track record suggests he can outpace Wathnan Racing’s Duke of Edinburgh Stakes winner Opportunity, who showed a step up in class at Royal Ascot but may struggle to maintain that level against seasoned Group company. Godolphin’s Valedictory is well‑supported in the Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap (1.50) on Saturday, and I have taken a punt on Irish challenger Aeronautic, who could improve on his third‑place finish in the same race last year.
Joseph O’Brien’s five‑year‑old also caught my eye after a fourth‑place finish in the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal Meeting; although he has not won for a while, he has demonstrated competitiveness at a 97 rating and could be a dark horse. Valedictory, who won over the same distance in May after being fitted with cheekpieces, will need to overcome a three‑pound penalty after his narrow Newmarket victory, presenting a fresh test for John and Thady Gosden’s team. Another contender worth mentioning is Charlie Johnston’s Align The Stars, a former Northumberland Plate winner who has never carried a triple‑digit rating.
The horse could be a factor if the race unfolds favorably. 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 may give him a decisive edge after solid performances at Pontefract and Catterick earlier in the summer.
Startled, a well‑handled claimer for Richard Hughes, will be partnered with Harry Vigors for this assignment. The horse performed admirably on his preferred course and distance in May, finishing second, and should be in the mix. 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) on Wednesday, extending his unbeaten record to six. His young jockey, Billy Loughnane, displayed maturity beyond his years, navigating a tricky situation on the Downs with poise and delivering a ride that will be remembered by racing fans for a long time.
On a personal note, since my fall in May, I have incorporated a hyperbaric oxygen chamber into my recovery routine. The chamber, installed at home, raises air pressure to deliver pure 100 % oxygen into the bloodstream, which aids healing.
Spending an hour a day inside has become a staple of my rehabilitation. I continue with a rigorous gym program and physiotherapy at Oaksey House in Lambourn five days a week, though I still cannot pinpoint a definitive return date to the saddle.