Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup: big-race guide and 20-1 tip

A final field of 11 have been declared for the feature race on day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.

Leading fancy Gregory will be standing in his box at Clarehaven when the gates open, having not been confirmed.

But his stablemate Courage Mon Ami, in the same ownership, does take his chance and seems sure to start favourite. The past five renewals have all been won by the market leader.

The ground at Goodwood has dried to good to soft, good in places but there is the prospect of more rain on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday keeping it that way. For once at a big festival meeting, there will be no endless chatter and debate about watering.

Here’s a guide to those still engaged in the feature.

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Timeform rating: 121. Odds: 16-1.

Smart middle-distance performer who clicked at the first attempt over 2m when landing the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in March, when swooping late under an inspired ride from Ryan Moore. Not quite in the same form when third in the Yorkshire Cup next time before being betrayed by a lack of stamina in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Not sure 2m on easy round will show him in the best light and he's been rejected by Ryan Moore.

Trainer: Andrew Balding. Timeform rating: 125. Odds: 11-4.

Has developed into one of the best stayers in training, running as well as he has ever done when chasing home Courage Mon Ami in the Gold Cup last month. He's proven on good to soft and the extra emphasis on stamina will play to his strengths. He looked at home on the course when fourth in last year’s renewal.

Trainer: John & Thady Gosden. Timeform rating: 130. Odds: 7-4.

Has made rapid strides since making his debut in September, making it four wins from as many starts with his fluent Gold Cup success, when he had several of these rivals behind. The new kid on the block had previously won a handicap at Goodwood, so we know the track holds no fears. The one unknown is softish ground, although plenty of Frankel’s offspring are at home on it.

Trainer: Roger Varian. Timeform rating: 124. Odds: 8-1.

The form of his St Leger on good to soft ground at Doncaster has worked out well enough – he had such as Haskoy, Giavellotto and Emily Dickinson behind – and his reappearance run when a staying-on second to Giavellotto in the Yorkshire Cup was brim-full of promise, not least because he was conceding 5lb to the winner. Disappointing when only seventh in the Gold Cup but perhaps he resented a second quick outing on fast ground that day. No surprise if he bounces back.

Trainer: Ian Williams. Timeform rating: 109+. Odds: 66-1.

Beat only one home in last year’s renewal and his recent efforts suggest he will again be making up the numbers. Dismal effort at Sandown last time.

Trainer: Marco Botti. Timeform rating: 120. Odds: 10-1.

Gave it a good go in the St Leger last year at big odds, finishing fourth past the post but promoted to third after suffering interference. He showed that was far from a fluke when winning the Yorkshire Cup last time at the main expense of Eldar Eldarov and Broome, albeit that pair were conceding weight. Quickthorn (fourth) and Siskany (fifth) have been subsequent winners. Proven on a soft top and commands respect, for all that his habit of edging right.

Trainer: Ralph Beckett. Timeform rating: 118. Odds: 20-1.

Has had injury problems and been relatively lightly raced since being touched off in the Irish Derby a couple of years ago. It’s looked a case of him not being as good as he was, although he bustled up Hamish in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester in May (only his second start since switching to Ralph Beckett) and he moved easily for a long way in the Gold Cup (traded at 3/1 in-running) last time before fading in the final furlong. This drop back to 2m should suit and suited by easy ground, plus he won twice at Goodwood earlier in his career, thumping the useful Yibir on one occasion. All things considered, he’s a chunky price.

Trainer: Roger Teal. Timeform rating: 110+. Odds: 33-1.

Sixth in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020, when Ferny Hollow and Appreciate It fought out the finish. He then made a splash on the Flat, with his efforts including chasing home Stradivarius in the Sagaro Stakes of 2021. However, he fluffed his lines at odds-on the following month and was then absent for more than two years before resurfacing at Sandown this month. Finished a creditable third but requires more, with the “bounce” factor also a concern.

Trainer: Hghie Morrison. Timeform rating: 120. Odds: 16-1.

The front-runner can take some pegging back when it all falls right for him, including in a Listed race at York last time when he repelled Israr, a subsequent Group two winner at Newmarket. It was also on the Knavesmire that he thumped Coltrane by 14 lengths in last year’s Lonsdale Cup. It’s difficult to take that effort at face value, and the balance of his form suggests he will be vulnerable when it matters most, unless Tom Marquand can pull off some sort of masterclass at the head of affairs.

Trainer: Brian Ellison. Timeform rating: 121. Odds: 33-1.

It’s been more than two years since he last got his head in front, but good efforts have included his second in the 2021 Long Distance Cup; fifth in last year’s Gold Cup; and close third to Hamish in this month’s Silver Cup Stakes. He looks like getting the dig in the ground that he enjoys, but others make more appeal for win purposes.

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Timeform rating: 124. Odds: 11-2.

Has long looked a smart stayer in the making and, bar her unexplained blip at Leopardstown in May, she’s put together a sequence of solid spins. Back to winning ways in the Group Two Curragh Cup last time, having been a creditable fourth in the Gold Cup before that. The daughter of Dubawi has not had much time to catch her breath since her recent win, but does look like getting the softish ground she is so effective on.

Courage Mon Ami, winner of the Gold Cup on only his fourth start, holds strong claims, although softish ground is an unknown for him. You can make claims for plenty butthe one who makes most appeal from an each-way angle is LONE EAGLE, who is a general 20/1. He ticks plenty of boxes and was one of the last off the bridle in the Gold Cup, only to be betrayed by a lack of stamina. The dual course winner is proven on soft ground and promises to be more potent dropping back to 2m.

1 Lone Eagle. 2 Courage Mon Ami. 3 Eldar Eldarov.