Goodwood Stewards’ Cup 2013 Preview

A maximum field of 28 will line up for the Stewards’ Cup  at Goodwood on Saturday. The rain that fell earlier in the week will have dried up by the weekend leaving the likelihood of fast ground.

Top weights

The race is not short on class with two previous winners and the recent Wokingham Handicap winner filling the first three places in the weights. Hawkeyethenoo has struggled a little in a higher grade since getting up in the last stride to win here 12 months ago and the drying ground will be against him.

Hoof It has had only one race back from a lengthy absence but is reunited with his regular partner Kieren Fallon and has place prospects. York Glory’s win at Royal Ascot came after several promising efforts and the grey is fancied to go close.

Favourites

Ken Ivory’s Tropics was elevated to the top of the market after winning a competitive handicap at York last weekend. His trainer was keen to delay a decision on his participation until the last moment and he may struggle under a 6lb penalty.

Another well-supported horse is Shropshire who has been knocking on the door all season in this type of race. Charlie Hills has booked Ryan Moore for the ride on Saturday and the 14-1 with Bet365 makes plenty of appeal.

Louis The Pious needed every yard of Haydock’s six furlongs to catch Masamah by a short head and may find them going a stride too quick for him early on. Whozthecat comes here after winning a big sprint in Ireland and will be favoured by the drying ground.

Outsiders

Richard Fahey’s Heaven’s Guest has run at most of the big meetings this season and continues to perform well. He battled on to repel the challenge of Moviesta last time out and that is top class form.

Richard Hannon has enjoyed a successful week highlighted by Toronado’s win in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes. He is represented by Ninjago who has not quite lived up to his early season promise.

Dinkum Diamond was less than three lengths behind York Glory at Ascot and looks overpriced in the ante-post betting whilst the veteran Harrison George is on a hat-trick of wins. Humidor has been competing at a higher level and is not out of it whilst Barnet Fair and Racy are also in good form of late.