August 01 / 16.35 Goodwood

16.35

Good To Soft

Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

  • Prize money: £283550
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
ITV
View Course
Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £18.95
  • Place: £4.55

Form: 65-641 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Smart front-runner who completed a hat-trick of Group wins last season; regained the winning thread in Listed grade at York (1m6f) on latest start; however, record suggests he's vulnerable back at the top level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

13th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:03 Salisbury

Quickthorn

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who won this race in 2021, on his way to four Group wins including the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and something has also been missing in his three races this term, but this is a step down in class and he should still be good enough.

8/13

6th

5

(2)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Quickthorn

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who gave his rivals the slip in this race two years ago and the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and so were his two races this term.

12/1

4th

1

(6)

5th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:50 Sandown

Quickthorn

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who was a Listed winner at York (1m6f, good to firm) last June and gave his rivals the slip to follow up in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup (2m, good to soft); his season ended with a lesser run, and his comeback was also disappointing, but this C&D winner has leading claims if back on song.

7/4

11/2

  • Place: £1.85

Form: 1-1641 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Ballydoyle filly who found the surface faster than ideal in the Ascot Gold Cup (finished fourth); particularly progressive on testing ground, with form figures of 4111 on soft/heavy, most recently winning the Curragh Cup (1m6f) ten days ago; respected granted optimum conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

(6)

1st Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Goodwood

Emily Dickinson

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

in rear, still plenty to do 3f out

11/2

1st

7

(3)

22nd Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 6f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Emily Dickinson

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Group 3 winner here (2m soft to heavy) at the end of last term and impressive when making a winning return in a Listed race at Navan (1m6f, heavy) in April; bounced back from a lesser run when fourth in the Ascot Gold Cup and looks like a big player with conditions in her favour.

13/8

11/4

  • Place: £1.25

Form: 212-12 D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and good to soft; still progressing at the age of six, having won the Sagaro in great style on reappearance then finished a close second to Courage Mon Ami when favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup; major contender in this second Goodwood Cup attempt (fourth last year).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Coltrane

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Stalwart of the staying scene, including with a win in this race in 2022 and a creditable fourth in 2024; both were on good to soft (beaten nearly 4l by Sweet William last year) and there was a lesser show on soft ground in the 2023 renewal; not quite as good as he was and he was dropped to a Listed race when winning ten weeks ago when last seen; major place contender if the ground isn't soft.

12/1

3

(5)

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:45 Sandown

Coltrane

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Four-time Group winner; well held in the Gold Cup most recently; two attempts over C&D comprise a success in this contest in 2022 and respectable second in Group 3 on penultimate start; solid chance back down in class.

9/2

5th

1

(6)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Coltrane

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Stalwart of the top staying races who was at his best in 2023 but not far off it on two occasions in 2024, in a very mixed campaign; runner-up in two four-runner races this season, with latest start better than the first but he was still no match for Trawlerman; second and fifth in the last two Gold Cups and others will have to underperform if he's to win it.

33/1

Form: 417-27

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and good to soft; disappointing in the Ascot Gold Cup but has otherwise been generally progressive and looked a promising Cup horse; won the 2022 St Leger and ran well (close second to Giavellotto) in this year's Yorkshire Cup; may still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

10th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Eldar Eldarov

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

travelled strongly, prominent, went second after 1f, going best when shaken up to lead 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on well, easily

11/4

4th

4

(8)

1st Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Goodwood

Eldar Eldarov

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

midfield in chasing group, some headway 3f out

8/1

12/1

Form: 132-91

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft and good to firm; beat Eldar Eldarov by half a length in the Yorkshire Cup when last seen, reversing St Leger placings with that rival; connections decided to miss the Ascot Gold Cup and save him for this race instead; appealing type, being fresh and open to further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 1

13:35 Kempton (AW)

Giavellotto

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Marco Botti

Absent since finishing third in the Coronation Cup three months ago; successful several times when fresh, most recently in 1m4f Group 1 at Sha Tin last December; big player dropped back in grade and he is 2-2 on AW.

11/4

5

(5)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Giavellotto

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Marco Botti

Campaigned mostly at 1m6f-2m; took his form to a new level in two attempts over 1m4f last year, winning Group 2 at Newmarket (good to soft) and Group 1 at Sha Tin (good); behind Calandagan in the Sheema Classic two months ago but isn't fully exposed at this trip.

9/2

3rd

3

(3)

15th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Giavellotto

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Marco Botti

sweating, raced in third, outpaced over 1f out, ran on and went third again inside final 110yds

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 11-11 C

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Gelded after this two AW wins last autumn; patently well treated off 98 in 1m6f handicap here on reappearance, then followed up in the Ascot Gold Cup (again on good to firm) where he beat several of these rivals; improving fast, remains unbeaten and promises to be a long-term top stayer of the Stradivarius ilk for same yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

25th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Courage Mon Ami

9st 8lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won his first four starts, culminating spectacularly in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) which was decided in a final-furlong duel with Coltrane; has to give that rival weight today, however, and needs to bounce back from muted show in the Goodwood Cup (won by Quickthorn, on good to soft) 24 days ago; a return to better ground may help.

3/1

14/1

Form: 8-5130 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Horse

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Good middle-distance performer for most of his career; won the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m in March but subsequent defeats in the Yorkshire Cup (third) and Ascot Gold Cup (well held) put him down the pecking order here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(2)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

13:15 Ascot

Broome

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: A P O’Brien

midfield, dropped to rear 4f out, never dangerous

40/1

3rd

2

(1)

15th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Broome

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Good middle-distance performer for most of his career but won the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m in March; close third in the 1m6f Yorkshire Cup at York in May but well beaten in the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Goodwood Cup the next twice, and was about 8l behind Coltrane at York last time; others preferred.

10/1

5th

3

(4)

25th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Broome

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Good middle-distance performer for most of his career but won the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m in March; close third to Giavellotto in the 1m6f Yorkshire Cup here in May but well beaten since in the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Goodwood Cup, so others are preferred.

8/1

16/1

Form: 43-343

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Often performs respectably, most recently third in the John Smith's Cup at York (1m6f); however, he's well exposed and losing spell goes back two years; well down this pack on ratings and yet to win a Group event.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:32 Ayr

Tashkhan

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Brian Ellison

A very useful four-time winner on the Flat, he got off to a winning start over hurdles at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) in December; stayed on well to snatch third up in trip in a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; holds obvious credentials back down in grade.

2/1

16/1

Form: 57-529 C

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Went close in the 2021 Irish Derby for previous yard; holds weaker claims on his form for new stable but is interesting on first crack at 2m, having looked a non-stayer (and shaped better than bare result) over 2m4f in the Ascot Gold Cup when having first go beyond 1m5f; 2-3 at Goodwood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(2)

3rd Nov 2023

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newmarket

Lone Eagle

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Went close in the 2021 Irish Derby; not so good since and soundly beaten in this race last year on his sole run on heavy going; second to Hamish at Chester (1m5f, soft) in May is clearly the best of his five runs for new yard this season; his next two runs were admittedly Group 1s but Chester Listed race last time gives him lots to find.

10/1

3rd

1

(6)

2nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 1

15:20 Chester

Lone Eagle

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Went close in the 2021 Irish Derby for previous yard; not so good since but second of six in the 1m5f Group 3 Ormonde here (soft) in May was clearly his best result this term; tried 2m4f in the Gold Cup at Ascot next time and 2m in the Goodwood Cup on latest; good form chance.

3/1

33/1

Form: 2223/3

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Horse

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent performer who showed signs of retaining ability in Sandown Listed event (2m) last month, with blinkers fitted on return from long absence; faces a much stiffer assignment in this field, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

(28)

14th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newmarket

Ocean Wind

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Roger Teal

Probably no ground worries; C&D Trial winner in 2020; over two years off before this season and his smart form of 2021 has not been recaptured, with reappearance offering plenty of hope but well beaten since in the Goodwood Cup, Ebor and a good Salisbury conditions stakes; needs a big revival.

40/1

3rd

2

15th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:40 Salisbury

Ocean Wind

9st 7lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Roger Teal

Smart stayer in 2021 and he returned from a massive absence with a creditable third in a Listed race at Sandown (2m, good) in July; had tough task in the Goodwood Cup next time but he finished tailed off and it was a similar story in the Ebor three weeks ago; has some questions to answer and he needs a major upturn in form.

4/1

18th

7

(19)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Ocean Wind

9st 8lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Roger Teal

Well handicapped judged on peak effort but that came when smart stayer in April 2021; absent more than two years before creditable third of six in Listed race at Sandown (2m) this July, followed by a heavy defeat in the Goodwood Cup but that was a stiff task (66-1); the blinkers worn this season are replaced by a visor.

33/1

66/1

Form: -12855

Last run: 68 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Started the year by showing smart handicap form over 1m4f at Meydan (won) and 1m7f at Riyadh (runner-up); has gone off the boil since and faces a tough task on second Goodwood Cup attempt (down the field last year).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Enemy

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ian Williams

Durable veteran who won twice on the AW early this year; however, he was soundly beaten at Newcastle on Good Friday and faces some unexposed rivals on his return to turf.

25/1

10th

3

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Enemy

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ian Williams

Snapped a losing sequence at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) in January before close third at Wolverhampton (2m), and returned to winning ways at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) latest; this 9yo is in a more competitive race today but there remains mileage in his mark judged on his old form; might not be far away.

14/1

1st

4

(1)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Enemy

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ian Williams

Still very useful at the age of nine, getting his head back in front at Southwell (1m4f) on New Year's Day; split reopposing pair Roaring Legend and Brasil Power when creditable third of six over 2m at Wolverhampton three weeks ago but he has yet to win over this trip.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £165.40
Straight Forecast £86.70
Tricast £282.76
Trifecta £502.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Courage Mon Ami

POSTDATA:

Emily Dickinson

Daily Mail:

Coltrane

TOPSPEED:

Giavellotto

D Express:

Eldar Eldarov

Telegraph:

Lone Eagle

LAMBOURN:

Ocean Wind

RP RATINGS:

Courage Mon Ami

The Times:

Courage Mon Ami

Daily Mirror:

Courage Mon Ami

The Sun:

Courage Mon Ami

Daily Record:

Courage Mon Ami

The Guardian:

Emily Dickinson

The Star:

Coltrane