The final day of Goodwood's summer festival sees arguably the best horse we've seen this season in 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Pretty Polly winner Minding who is a deservedly hot favourite in the Nassau Stakes - that race should be easy to determine (though one bookmaker is offering 10/1 for new accounts). The supporting card however is awash with big field handicaps, including the Stewards Cup, which are all fascinating each way betting feasts.
Shrew's Shrewdies
2:00 Nuno Tristan 14/1 e/w, Misterioso 18/1 e/w
2:35 Shraaoh 7/1 or Soldier In Action 16/1 e/w
3:10 Minding 1/5 (10/1 with Coral - enhanced winnings paid as free bets)
3:45 Dancing Star 5/1 or St Robert Cheval 20/1 e/w
Race-By-Race Guide
2:00 Stewards Sprint Cup, Handicap, 6f
Goodwood is a track where the draw bias seems to be more pronounced than others. It is surprising therefore that many of the market principles here are drawn out of the typically less favourable high draws. Gamesome, Dougan and Protection all come out of draws 21 or higher. Protection is lightly raced and could well have a lot of improvement in him but at the odds I'd be happy to leave him in this size of field.
Of the runners drawn in the low stalls, Nuno Tristan makes some appeal having been a winner at this distance several times. He has been running over an extra furlong lately, but the step back to 6 could see him go close.
Veterans Seeking Magic and Hoof It have enough experience to do well but could be vulnerable to several younger improvers including Ascot winner Misterioso who followed that up with a fairly good run at Chelmsford two weeks ago - he seems to be in form and could hit the frame.
2:35 Qatar Handicap, 1m4f
This is a very tight race with a lot of strong winning form on offer. Dal Harraild is probably a deserved favourite off the back of his last two runs, but Move Up probably just about has the form edge.
This is a big step up for Emperor Napoleon and you'd expect him to be vulnerable. Shabbah looks like a horse with more to come at this trip following a good second at Ascot. Shraaoh could be better handicapped though. He got no run at Ascot and was heavily eased - could be fresh for this?
Mark Johnston is the course specialist. It's a shame that Regal Monarch is a non-runner but after his defection Soldier in Action gets my vote ahead of Jaameh and Beaverbrook - who may be interesting if enjoying this new trip.
3:10 Nassau Stakes, Group 1, 1m1f
Minding wins.
3:45 Stewards Cup, Handicap, 6f
This is one of my favourite handicaps of the year and there is a lot to like about favourite Dancing Star's chances following a couple of wins in big runner handicaps he comes in at bottom weight and I expect him to run well. Orion's Bow also has some great form in the book and could well continue it here.
Of the rest there a lot with potential, but of them I prefer Sir Robert Cheval as an each way bet.
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