Saturday 5th August
The final day of not so Glorious Goodwood, weather wise, and today is the big one in terms of numbers, the Stewards Cup. We are focusing our minds on this race only, taking 2 bets in a bid to end the week on a high.
3.35 Stewards Cup
An absolute minefield on paper but a lot of these, in theory, can be ruled out straight away. Today, form on an easy surface has to be important despite the ground continuing to dry out whilst big field handicap form is something else not to ignore. Being ahead of the handicapper always helps in these sorts of races and you have a lot of rivals so any edge can tip the balance.
Shanghai Glory is our first selection. He’s now a 4 year old and has raced just 12 times in his career, having been seen just once this term. That effort was in the Wokingham where he was plumb last but his trainer has already said they needed to get a run into him and that race was run on unsuitably firm ground. He progressed rapidly last year, starting off by finishing 2nd in a Class 5 handicap off a mark of 75. He quickly progressed and today races off 101 but that’s justified with 6 furlong form last year of 2-1-2-1-1, culminating in a win in listed company at the Curragh on yielding ground. Provided he’s fit and ready, and the ground still has some juice in it, he should go close from a draw close to the rails.
Our 2nd bet is Al Qawha with the only reservation being a draw off the rail in 9. Aside from that, he has plenty going for him. Another lightly raced 4 year old who won on his seasonal reappearance and debut for this yard in a Class 2 handicap at York off a mark only 3lbs lower than today’s. That, in itself, is almost enough especially as it was run on soft ground. Since then, he’s been seen 3 times and, after failing to pull up any trees in the first 2 of those, he then returned to form last time out finishing 2nd of 15 off this mark, over the distance and on good to soft ground. If he can build on that soft ground form and he handles the track, he’s expected to go well.
PLACED – Back Shanghai Glory (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 Bet365 BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
Back Al Qawha (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 Bet365 BOG (¼ odds 1-5)
Bet here:
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