A Runner-By-Runner Look at the Goodwood Cup

Eight rivals are scheduled to contest this year's Goodwood Cup (G1) in a red-hot renewal. Can Scandinavia retain his crown? Phill Anderson delivers his runner-by-runner guide. 1. Amiloc (GB) Phill Anderson's View: Has a few ticks in the right boxes, including Goodwood form, having won both previous course starts in good style at the beginning of last season. Then he won at Royal Ascot. While 0-4 since, it was a step back in the right direction in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) last time. There will be no hiding place from a stamina perspective here and both his pedigree and stride data suggest the new trip could stretch him. Star rating ** Trainer's view: Ralph Beckett: "I'm looking forward to stepping him up in trip. He's 2-from-2 at Goodwood and the nature of the track really suits him well. I was really pleased with his run in the Hardwicke. He was a long way back but finished off really well and that's what we wanted to see. This race looks the obvious move." 2. French Master (IRE) Phill Anderson's View: Back to his best when narrowly denied in the Queen Alexandra by Illinois last time but even his best is not good enough to figure in this and he was well held in last year's weaker renewal. Star rating * Owner's view: Richard Brown, Wathnan Racing: "We were delighted with French Master. He ran very well with a significant step up in trip at Ascot when just touched off in the Queen Alexandra. He's significantly back down in trip and up in class, so it's a big ask, but this falls right for him and we're hoping to pick up some of the pieces." 3. Illinois (IRE) Phill Anderson's View: Sent off favorite for last year's Goodwood Cup when runner-up to re-opposing stablemate Scandinavia. Their careers have gone different ways since. Scandinavia is now the best stayer around whereas Illinois had to stoop to the Queen Alexandra last time to win, and another supporting role is likely to be the best he can hope for. Star rating ** Trainer's view: Aidan O'Brien: "Illinois ran respectably the last day at the Curragh and he's an honest sort of stayer who will hopefully run a nice race." 4. Lazy Griff (GER) Phill Anderson's View: A proper Charlie Johnston horse who was a group 3 winner as a juvenile and spent last season chasing home Lambourn (IRE) before missing the second half of the season through injury. Always looked like a potential Cup horse and came on from his return with a 2-mile Sandown success earlier this month. Has a fair bit to find on bare form but he's one of the more interesting runners outside the big two. Star rating *** Owner's view: Tim Palin, Middleham Park Racing: "We've wanted to stretch him out in distance for a while and the step up to two miles seems to have worked a treat. He deserves his place in the line-up and as long as the ground is not too quick he should give a good account of himself." 5. Rahiebb (GB) Phill Anderson's View: 2025 St Leger (G1) runner-up who won a below-par renewal of the Yorkshire Cup (G2) on his return and was sent off at just 8-1 for the Gold Cup (G1) at Ascot. Looked like he was about to play some sort of part in the finish on the home turn before folding tamely in the straight. The big question is: was the 24-length defeat solely down to the 2-mile, 4-furlong trip? That's what connections have suggested and, if you agree, there is an each-way case to be made. Backing horses after such heavy defeats is a risky business, especially when they're third favorite. Star rating *** Trainer's view: Roger Varian: "We're happy with him. He's had a lovely preparation. We have to believe he didn't stay over two and a half miles at Royal Ascot. He's always shaped like two miles was within his range and I don't see the track as being a problem for him." 6. Scandinavia Phill Anderson's View: His scrap with Trawlerman in the Gold Cup at Ascot was intense. Scandinavia came out on top, sealing his place as the best stayer around. Won a lesser renewal of this last season, so he is very difficult to pick holes in, bar the potential for his Ascot battle to leave a mark. There's also the possibility that he's still improving so, as even money shots go, he's rock solid. Star rating ***** Trainer's view: Aidan O'Brien: "Everything has gone smoothly with him since Ascot. He obviously had a hard race in the Gold Cup, but he's a tough and hardy horse who takes his racing well." 7. Trawlerman (IRE) Phill Anderson's View: The Ascot Gold Cup felt like a passing-of-the-torch moment. Goodwood is a better fit for front runners and the yard's recent form is outstanding, so there are two positives for his supporters to hang their hats on. But the younger legs of Scandinavia could ultimately be the deciding factor. Star rating **** Trainer's view: Thady Gosden: "He ran a huge race in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and was only just beaten by a younger horse in Scandinavia. We had to give him 1lb that day, but he lines up here off level weights, which should hopefully help." 8. Miss Alpilles (GB) Phill Anderson's View: Just the type that the yard will continue to improve and she wasn't disgraced when fifth in the Ascot Gold Cup. Likely to be ridden to pick up the pieces, which may be no bad thing with plenty of pace on, and she's 1-for-1 at Goodwood too. Star rating *** Trainer's view: Ed Walker: "I'm surprised she's been so neglected in the betting after such a good run in the Gold Cup. We've put blinkers on, which she trains in every day at home, and it will be interesting to see what effect that has on her. We're hoping they might help her settle. She's in cracking form and she'll love the ground." Phill Anderson's Goodwood Cup Stakes 1-2-3 prediction 1 Scandinavia 2 Trawlerman 3 Miss Alpilles