The Group 1 Goodwood Cup is the feature race that kicks off Glorious Goodwood week. The Sussex track will deliver its usual midsummer treats, with a staying showdown in store on the opening day.
GG tipster Joe Napier previews the Gold Cup rematch, giving his verdict, as well as running through the runners.
2026 Goodwood Cup Runners
This is a Gold Cup rematch between Scandinavia and Trawlerman. The pair provided us with a super Ballydoyle vs Gosden showdown, with Aidan O’Brien’s stayer getting the better of his older rival. Scandinavia no longer receives 1lb in weight here and took a long while to get the better of the Godolphin horse over 2m4f at Ascot. However, he is probably the quicker of the pair and has Goodwood form, winning this last term.
Trawlerman was returning from a long layoff at the royal meeting though. He should not be passed over lightly and will surely set the fractions from the front once again. Scandinavia’s stablemate Illinois may have something to say about that, ironic given he was the number one string above Scandinavia 12 months ago. Either way, this race should play to Scandinavia’s favour.
Both Lazy Griff and Rahiebb were placed in Classics last term. The former marked himself a stayer when winning Sandown’s Listed Marathon last time out, though 2m may be his maximum trip visually. Rahiebb flopped in the Gold Cup, but had previously shown form comparable to Scandinavia.
Amiloc could prove a bigger danger than either. His pedigree is full of stamina and he twice won well at this track last term. He ran no race in the Yorkshire Cup behind Rahiebb, but was an eyecatcher in the Hardwicke Stakes, as well as finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last November. If any can interrupt the expected duel, it is Ralph Beckett’s charge.
Miss Alpilles ran a belter when fifth in the Gold Cup, but 11 lengths behind Scandinavia is her level. French Master disappointed in this a year ago and is not up to stablemate Trawlerman’s standard.
2026 Goodwood Cup Racecard
15:35 Goodwood
GoodAl Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1)
- First Prize: £283550
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 1
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Sunny
Terms and conditions
*Odds displayed on this page are sourced directly from online bookmakers. Please check all details before placing your bet(s). 18+ only.
Betting Forecast
14/1 Amiloc, 25/1 French Master, 25/1 Illinois, 12/1 Lazy Griff, 10/1 Rahiebb, 1/1 Scandinavia, 2/1 Trawlerman, 66/1 Miss Alpilles
Verdict
The Gold Cup at Royal Ascot 40 days ago produced a race for the ages as SCANDINAVIA went head to head with the 2025 winner Trawlerman and edged in front in the last five strides at the end of 2m4f. It’s possible that that race will have brought Trawlerman back to his peak, as it was his reappearance, but he wasn’t far off it anyway and Scandinavia is 6-6 in cheekpieces, with this race last year among those victories. It’s not an easy call and a fantastic race is on its way if they return in the same form as at Ascot. The two of them have graphically demonstrated the value of headgear, which might heighten interest in Lazy Griff who was placed in two Derbys last season and arrives here relatively unexposed as a stayer, wearing cheekpieces for the first time. Rahiebb’s failure in the Gold Cup leaves him unproven beyond an extended 1m6f. [Richard Austen]
Selections
The Times:
ScandinaviaGoodwood Cup Trends 2026
Here are some select trends that could help point towards the winner of the 2026 Goodwood Cup.
- Five of the last seven winners have been five or older
- The favourite has won seven of the last ten editions
- The Gosden and O’Brien yards have claimed seven of the last nine renewals between them
- The Gold Cup winner at Ascot has followed up here in five of the last eight runnings
2026 Goodwood Cup Tips
Though it took the best part of 2m4f for Scandinavia to best Trawlerman, it feels likely that last year’s St Leger winner can best the Gosden runner at any trip. He has the better turn-of-foot and can land back-to-back Goodwood Cups. Trawlerman is always a danger setting the fractions and should finish second again. Amiloc looks the most likely to have a say against the top two in the market.
FAQ
When and where is the Goodwood Cup?
The Goodwood Cup will take place at Goodwood racecourse on Tuesday 28 July 2026 at 3.35pm.
How can I watch the Goodwood Cup on Tuesday?
The Goodwood Cup is live on ITV Racing at 3.35pm on Tuesday.
When were the Goodwood Cup tips published?
The tips for the Goodwood Cup were published at 7.15am on Tuesday 28 July.
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