Goodwood Saturday Preview

The big betting race of the week is the Stewards’ Cup at 3.50 with a maximum field of 28 declared for the six-furlong dash. Last week’s York winner Tropics and Wokingham Stakes winner York Glory are among the most fancied runners.

Both horses look to have been favoured by a low draw whilst Shropshire (21) and Whozthecat (23) must rely on there being plenty of early pace out wide. Previous winners Hawkeyethenoo and Hoof It add a touch of class to the race.

The progressive Heaven’s Guest is another leading contender having got the better of yesterday’s King George Stakes winner Moviesta at Newmarket. The handicapper will certainly be looking to raise him a few pounds in future races.

The Group 1 Nassau Stakes at 3.15 has attracted a strong field with 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Sky Lantern stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time. Irish Guineas winner Just The Judge finished third at Ascot after racing up with the pace and could be a threat over this longer trip.

Sky Lantern looked unlucky when second in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket but her ability to stay this distance has to be taken on trust. Hot Snap could be a threat is returning to the form that she showed in the spring whilst Integral is a promising filly from the Sir Michael Stoute stable.

The meeting gets under way with a wide-open handicap over six furlongs at 2.05. The weights are headed by Stoute’s Enrol who ran very disappointingly at Ascot.

Picture Dealer and Above Standard are both chasing a hat-trick of wins whilst Goldream and Seeking Magic are others with chances. Stoute also saddles the top weight in the 2.40 with her Majesty The Queen’s Bold Sniper.

He won gamely at Ascot last time but may struggle to give the weight to Luca Cumani’s Havana Cooler. The lightly-raced son of Hurricane Run won nicely at Newmarket last month and could still be ahead of the handicapper.

The Hannon and Hughes combination have been firing on all cylinders this week and War Spirit is fancied to make a winning debut in the maiden race at 4.25. His biggest rival may be stable companion After The Goldrush who was second on Salisbury first time out.

Stoute seldom has a runner in a Nursery so the hint could be worth taking with Mezel in the 5.00. Bureau and Art Official also won last time out and look sure to go well.

The five-furlong Telegraph Handicap at 5.35 rounds off the meeting with David O’Meara’s Lexington Place bidding to win his fifth race in six starts. Opposition includes the speedy Normal Equilibrium and Extrasolar.

Selections: 2.05 Picture Dealer, 2.40 Havana Cooler (nb), 3.15 Sky Lantern, 3.50 Heaven’s Guest (NAP), 4.25 After The Goldrush, 5.00 Mezel, 5.35 Lexington Place