The Group 1 Qatar Goodwood Cup is the feature race on day one run over 2m and last years winner Stradavarius will go to post as one of eleven possible runners who may take up the engagement.
With Frankie Dettori's suspension, Andrea Atzeni will take the ride for the first time since winning on the John Gosden trained chestnut colt in this race last year.
Last seen at Royal Ascot Gold Cup putting in a gutsy performance in what was a spectacular finish to repel French raider Vizarabad and the reposing Torcedor trained by Jessica Harrington. After the race, John Gosden commented saying:
"He did see it out and he was going away at the finish. He's a proper little-staying horse that we call Mighty Mouse because he's not very big - he looks a bit like a mini Trigger with his four white feet, but he is a gorgeous horse. He's done it really, really well, and loves this ground as he can flick off it and quicken well.”
Stradavarius will likely go off a very warm favourite (currently around 4/7) and looks to have plenty in his favour, it is hard to knock such an improving horse of powerful connections but he may be in for another tough race as he tries to capture the second leg of the Wetherbys Staying 1 Million Pound Bonus. If successful the final leg will be at York’s Lonsdale Cup in August.
With Vizarabad seemingly missing the engagement due to ground conditions being too quick, Gold Cup second Torcedor will be many peoples selection to take on the short price favourite. He ran a cracker when behind the current market leader finishing third by only a length. The price on first glance does seem to scream value, however, Jessica Harrington’s mount does go against many of the trends set for the race including course experience, make of that what you will but I still get the feeling we saw everything he had to offer that day, and while it was a heroic effort he may just fall short here again.
While Stradavarius is holding a firm grip at the top of the Market, Aidan O’Brien’s Order Of St George has only found himself a bigger SP price (If going off at the current 5/1) than this, on two occasions, both Prix de Arc de Triomphe’s. Clearly not at his best when finishing fourth behind both Stradavarius and Torcedor, Ryan Moore was working hard on his ride more than four furlongs out not travelling with his usual zest and fluency. While he also has some trends to buck, he probably provides more value to the equivalent price of Torcedor and I would firmly expect him to reverse the form there.
Aidan O’Brien has left in Giuseppe Garibaldi who remains of strong interest and Idaho. William Haggas may well saddle Call To Mind who was last seen winning the Belmont Gold Cup in New York along with the admirable Dal Harrald. Desert Skyline, Scotland and St Michel complete the possible runners at this stage.
