Glorious Goodwood (15.45): Discussiontofollow to lift Stewards’ Cup
Published:
Discussiontofollow has shaped as if coming to the boil and looks to have plenty going for him in the 6f Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood (15.45).
The Michael Murphy trained gelding has won three of his nine starts over the trip, and was last successful in a valuable contest at Ascot 12 months ago when scoring by a head.
Discussiontofollow backed that up with an excellent sixth of 24 to Intrinsic in this race, coming from well off the pace and getting hampered inside the final furlong before finishing with a rattle to be beaten 2 3/4 lengths off a mark of 98.
Granted a clear passage the son of Elusive City would have gone close, and he is now able to race off just 2lb higher following two eye-catching efforts.
In the first of those, Discussiontofollow kept on nicely to finish a 2 1/4 length runner-up to Foxy Forever in a competitive 21-runner contest over 5f at the Curragh.
The five-year-old was then beaten just 1 3/4 lengths when fifth of 18 to Double Up in another 5f affair at Ascot, finishing the race off very strongly.
That was Discussiontofollow’s third run of the season, and he should now be spot on to do himself justice.
The step back up to 6f is also certain to suit, and Murphy has clearly campaigned Discussiontofollow with this race in mind.
Huntsmans Close has built up a solid record in big field handicaps and looks sure to go well, along with top weight Tropics who now drops back into handicap company after a cracking second in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket.
However, the one I fear most is the Charlie Hills trained Magical Memory.
The gelding has shown progressive form throughout this season, and was very impressive last time out at Newmarrket when romping to a two length success in a hot 17-runner contest.
Magical Memory travelled strongly throughout under a confident ride from Frankie Dettori and showed a nice turn of foot to win with tons in hand.
The three-year-old looks well-treated under a 6lb penalty, and with Dettori once again in the saddle everything points to a big run.
