The final day of Glorious Goodwood features a grand betting heat in the Stewards’ Cup. Matty Sutcliffe has picked out a 40/1 shot in that big-field handicap among four best bets in all.
1:20 Goodwood – Coral Glorious Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Mount Atlas 6/1 1pt WIN
The recent deluge of rain is enough to swerve the favourite Al Aasy along with the fact he’s prone to dogging it (six time beaten favourite), and the progressive MOUNT ATLAS is taken to step up in grade.
The Masar gelding was a comfortable winner on soft ground last season and has finished the year with a second in the Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket, a race that traditionally throws up a few smart three-year-olds.
He shaped in need of the run on his seasonal debut returning from a gelding operation when a three lengths fourth at Kempton, before posting a career best effort when a three lengths fifth in the G3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester. That form’s worked out well with the winner (Al Qareem) winning twice since, with the second (Illinois) finishing second in two subsequent G1’s and the third (Absurde) finishing second to Al Qareem at York.
He fared best of those held up in rear in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot when five lengths behind Ethical Diamond, before landing a competitive handicap off top-weight giving 14lbs to the second.
His form over this trip reads 31251 and is evidently on an upward curve, and I’d expect him to be the one to topple Al Aasy if the favourites having one of his customary off days.
1:55 Goodwood – Coral Summer Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo+) – Sam Hawkens 6/1 1.5pt WIN
SAM HAWKENS made his debut here on soft ground here in October when finishing half a length behind the subsequent Golden Gates Stakes third Black Run, and the return to this course on a soft surface can see him continue his upward trajectory.
The son of Galileo switched yards mid season from Hannon to Haggas and made a smart yard debut when fourth in the Shergar Cup Classic, before falling to give his running at Haydock next time out.
He was gelded prior to making his seasonal at Ripon when shaping as if needing the run, before landing a 17k Newcastle Handicap clocking a good time figure in the process. The form of that has worked out well with the fourth finishing third to French Master next time out before finishing second in the Northumberland Plate, and the third was second to Caballo De Mar next time out who was second himself to French Master at Royal Ascot.
Sam Hawkens then backed up that win with success in a valuable Sunday Series at Hamilton, always looking on top at the line despite the neck margin, giving 7lbs to the second who won the Northumberland Vase next time out.
The balance of his form suggests he can cope with this 4lbs rise, and the extra furlong along with soft ground will suit visually for the inform Haggas team.
2:30 Goodwood – Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Waardah 8/1 1pt WIN
With the ground likely to remain a swamp for the rest of the week, the three-year-old WAARDAH could prove tough to beat with her 9lbs WFA allowance and proven form in the mud.
The Postponed filly landed a Sandown maiden at the back end of the year, lowering the colours of an 2/5F Juddmonte filly who’d previously bumped some smart types. She wasn’t disgraced on soft ground again at Newmarket in the Montrose Fillies Stakes having hung right handed and looking in need of further, which proved the case when landing a listed fillies contest at Goodwood in June on soft ground. She only hit top gear late on there with stamina looking her forte so this step up to 1m6f on soft going can bring out further improvement for the in form Owen Burrows.
3:05 Goodwood – Coral Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) – Commanche Falls 40/1 0.5pt EW 6 places
COMMANCHE FALLS is 2-2 over C&D and both of those came in the Steward’s Cup off marks of 103 and 100. His revised mark led him to graduate out of handicap company for pattern races and while he picked up two listed wins and a group three win in 2023, he’s yet to get his head in front.
His latest nine starts have all come in handicap company and he’s not been disgraced in many but he’s suffered the burden of top-weight in all of them. This is his first start in handicap company relived off top weight since finishing midfield in the 2021 Ayr Gold Cup, so a chance is taken that he’s able to regain the winning thread.
He’s a numerous soft ground winning proven to cope with heavy going, and the cheek-pieces replace the blinkers which have yet to be effective.
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