Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes: runner-by-runner guide

Injury denied Kyprios the opportunity to defend his 2022 Goodwood Cup crown last year but the Ballydoyle star is the one they all have to beat this time around after roaring back to the top of the staying ranks in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Bookmakers make Kyprios a red-hot 4-7 favourite to see off six rivals, including Sweet William and Gregory, who represent a stable that has had a good deal of success in this race, along with 2021 Goodwood Cup winner Trueshan.

Here’s a look at all seven contenders: 

Official Rating: 110. Odds: 20-1. 

Forward-going type who has posted some solid efforts in defeat this term. Not completely exposed as a stayer but is one of the lowest-rated runners in here and has yet to score above Group Three level in Britain. Best form is on good ground or slower so drying conditions will not help him.  

Official Rating: 114. Odds:  8-1. 

Rock-solid stayer but needs to raise his game if he’s to turn around an eleven-and-a-half-length defeat by Kyprios in the Gold Cup, and that seems unlikely at the age of seven. Beaten almost five lengths (by Kyprios again) in this in 2022, and six lengths by Quickthorn last year, so the search for that Group One breakthrough with him looks likely to continue unless the favourite underperforms. 

Official Rating: 111. Odds: 10-1. 

Looked a staying star in the making when landing the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot on just his third start. However, hasn’t really built on that since and was no match for Continuous twice in the autumn. Ran no sort of race in the Gold Cup at Ascot (keen early and lost place quickly off home turn) so, although still relatively lightly-raced, he arrives with a fair bit to prove. 

Official Rating: 120. Odds:  4-7. 

Five-time Group One winner who has roared back to the top after well-documented health issues. 

Became the first horse since Kayf Tara in 2000 to regain the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June, where the likes of Sweet William and Coltrane were well beaten off. 

He is unquestionably the best staying Flat horse in training. Saw off the mighty Stradivarius (a four-time Goodwood Cup winner) to win this in 2022 and could probably run a few pounds below his best and still win this. 

Official Rating: 113. Odds:  8-1. 

Consistent stayer who seems versatile ground-wise. Posted a career-best on the numbers when third in the Gold Cup but has six lengths to make up with Kyprios on that form, so needs another step forward if he’s going to upstage the favourite. Looks sure to be in the hunt for place money, though. 

Official Rating: 109. Odds: 66-1. 

Soft-ground lover who may well get taken out if ground dries significantly. Yet to strike in Pattern company and the lowest-rated runner in here so very difficult to fancy. 

Official Rating:  114. Odds: 16-1. 

Won this in 2021 and although not the force of old, showed that there was still plenty of fire in the belly with a dominant performance in the Coral Marathon at Sandown last time. Connections won’t risk him on anything quicker than good nowadays so likely he’ll be withdrawn if conditions dry out, but he is a frame contender if he is allowed to take his chance. 

This revolves around the outstanding KYPRIOS and a second Goodwood Cup success looks very much on the cards. Gregory has a bit to prove right now so the Coltrane and Sweet William look most likely to be scrapping it out for second.