Expert - Bill Esdaile
Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races.

 

Expert Column for Goodwood Cup Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)

 

S1-1     4yo+ Handicap

 

This 1,984m handicap is often won by a horse capable of stepping up into Group races and ENFJAAR is heading in that direction. He has won both his races this season and is unbeaten in the last two starts when wearing a hood. It was disappointing to see him lose his way after a winning start to last year, but the combination of a gelding operation and the headgear has worked wonders. The way he won the competitive and valuable John Smith’s Cup over 2,051m at York just over two weeks ago suggests he is a horse improving at a rapid rate. He travels smoothly through his races and he has the gears to be able to extract himself from traffic problems. That’s always a big help at this tricky course.

 

TONY MONTANA came from a little further back than ideal when third behind ENFJAAR in the aforementioned York race. He was ridden more prominently when he kicked off the season in style with a 2,064m victory at Chester and then followed up by scoring over 2,000m at Windsor. These big-field handicaps suit him as he usually gets a decent pace to aim at.

 

Ian Williams is superb at lining up horses for these valuable handicaps. He looks to have targeted TRACK OF TIME at this race with a couple of prep-runs since joining him from French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. His record in France was three wins from six starts and that included a second in a 2,400m Saint-Cloud Listed contest. His Sandown fifth behind the progressive PERSICA over 1,990m on soft ground three weeks ago was a step in the right direction and he should be spot on for this assignment. He also wears cheekpieces for the first time.

 

BYSTANDER recorded his third career victory when swooping late to score over 2,038m at Newcastle last month. All his wins have come on the polytrack and horses with good form on artificial surfaces tend to run well at Goodwood.

 

A wide draw forced TAKE HEART to race too far back when eighth behind ENFJAAR in the John Smith’s Cup over 2,051m at York. John Murtagh’s Irish raider stayed on well from the rear in the closing stages and he is better than the bare form of that race.

 

SELECTIONS: 2. ENFJAAR, 12. TONY MONTANA, 7. TRACK OF TIME, 14. BYSTANDER & 11. TAKE HEART

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 2. ENFJAAR & 12. TONY MONTANA
S1-2: Multiple – 6. THE PARTHENON & 1. AN OUTLAW'S GRACE

 

S1-2     HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes

 

The G2 HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes over 1,408m features a line-up of some talented 2YO colts for the first Group race at Glorious Goodwood.

 

The first runner that catches the eye is THE PARTHENON for six-time British champion trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has won three of the last 10 renewals of this race. An impressive maiden winner last time out at Gowran Park, the KINGMAN colt made light work of the rest of the field over 1,400m and looks a solid contender.

 

Newmarket-based handler Charlie Appleby saddles AOMORI CITY. Turning heads when winning on debut over 1,216m, the Godolphin-owned colt went on to perform well with a decent third in the G2 July Stakes over 1,200m at Newmarket July Course, finishing a couple of lengths behind the leaders. He has the pace for this contest and should stay well enough, with the slight step up in trip not a worry.

 

AN OUTLAW'S GRACE finished fourth last time out in the G2 Prix Robert Papin over 1,200m at Chantilly, when not having the pace to finish strongly. That race, however, will have left plenty of room for improvement and trainer Richard Hannon will be hoping he can replicate his debut success at Salisbury in June over 1,200m. Has the potential to bounce back and is one to watch closely.

 

Andrew Balding saddles COOL HOOF LUKE. Having won well on his first run at Chelmsford over 1,200m, he entered a particularly deep field in the G2 Coventry Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot and ran a fine race to finish fourth. Although not fancied there, he outran his odds and has similar potential in this line-up, with the step up in trip certainly welcome.

 

ARABIAN SUN is one that seems less preferred in the market but could run a good race. Although untested in Group company so far, having performed well in two novice events over 1,200m, Clive Cox’s colt looks ready to take the step up. We know this is a colt with a turn of foot, as seen when cutting through the field in the final 200m to win last time out at Salisbury over 1,200m. He can go well, with in-form rider Richard Kingscote once again booked to ride.

 

SELECTIONS: 6. THE PARTHENON, 1. AN OUTLAW'S GRACE, 2. AOMORI CITY, 4. COOL HOOF LUKE & 3. ARABIAN SUN

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 6. THE PARTHENON & 1. AN OUTLAW'S GRACE
S1-3: Multiple – 5. NOBLE DYNASTY & 3. ENGLISH OAK

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:   
Banker – 6. THE PARTHENON
Selections – 1. AN OUTLAW'S GRACE, 2. AOMORI CITY, 4. COOL HOOF LUKE & 3. ARABIAN SUN
S1-3:   
Banker – 5. NOBLE DYNASTY
Selections – 3. ENGLISH OAK, 4. KINROSS, 1. AUDIENCE & 7. TIBER FLOW

 

S1-3     HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes

 

In recent years, the 1,408m G2 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes has been dominated by one horse, Ralph Beckett’s KINROSS. He won his first edition of this race in 2021, before being an unlucky second in 2022, and then reclaiming his crown 12 months ago. This is undoubtably his best trip, and he clearly thrives at Goodwood, so he has to be taken very seriously back in this race. However, he is now a 7YO and his two starts this season have suggested that he might not quite be the horse of old, particularly when finishing well beaten in the G1 July Cup over 1,200m last time.

 

Some of the younger challengers here may be able to improve past KINROSS, and NOBLE DYNASTY looks a likely type. The Charlie Appleby-trained runner returned from nearly a year and a half off the track this season but has shown he is capable of top-class form in three starts since. On the second occasion he gave plenty of weight away to ENGLISH OAK when winning comfortably at Newmarket over 1,400m in May, and it would be a surprise were that rival able to turn the form around here, racing off level weights. NOBLE DYNASTY improved again to win last time out in the G3 Criterion Stakes over 1,400m at Newmarket July Course, where he battled well to the line to defeat a persistent rival. He looks a horse that relishes fast ground, and on the likely sound surface at Goodwood, he should go close.

 

ENGLISH OAK has certainly improved since losing out to NOBLE DYNASTY a couple of month ago and looks the most progressive in the field. Ed Walker’s 4YO won with ease at Haydock over 1,434m and then followed that up with a hugely impressive success in the Buckingham Palace Stakes over 1,400m at Royal Ascot. He won that in the style of a Group horse and is well worth his place at this level.

 

AUDIENCE arguably brings the best form into this race on the back of his win in the G1 Lockinge Stakes over 1,600m at Newbury. He sprung a surprise there at big odds but wasn’t so good next time in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes over 1,600m. This drop back in trip may suit, but he was well beaten in this race last year and could find a few too good again.

 

TIBER FLOW is a tough and consistent horse, who won in G3 company at Haydock over 1,434m last time. He can run well to make the frame.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. NOBLE DYNASTY, 3. ENGLISH OAK, 4. KINROSS, 1. AUDIENCE & 7. TIBER FLOW

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-3: Multiple – 5. NOBLE DYNASTY & 3. ENGLISH OAK
S1-4: Multiple – 4. KYPRIOS & 5. SWEET WILLIAM

 

S1-4     Goodwood Cup

 

Aidan O’Brien-trained stayer KYPRIOS is currently the outstanding horse in the stayers’ division and he will be very hard to beat. Injury seriously disrupted his race programme last season. He only managed two winless runs and he was below form. With no such worries this summer, KYPRIOS has bounced back emphatically and has looked to be in the same shape as when he beat STRADIVARIUS in this race in 2022 when TRUESHAN was well beaten in third and COLTRANE fourth. KYPRIOS has a professional style of running rather than being exuberant. Even at his best he rarely wins by far but he always seems to have more in reserve to call upon if needed. That was the case at Royal Ascot last month when he won the G1 Gold Cup over 3,991m for the second time, resolutely grinding down runner-up TRAWLERMAN. Well behind him that day were SWEET WILLIAM (third), COLTRANE (fifth) and GREGORY (seventh).

 

SWEET WILLIAM is a quirky performer who is a test for his jockey Robert Havlin. He won a handicap over 2,800m at Goodwood last year as he was rising through the ranks and before Royal Ascot he won the G3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown over 3,245m in May. It is hard to see why he should trouble KYPRIOS but he should be able to claim one of the places.

 

COLTRANE, who was third in this race last year following his fourth in 2022, has been a little below his best this season even though he won the G3 Sagaro Stakes over 3,190m at Ascot in May when SWEET WILLIAM was third and TRUESHAN was fourth. COLTRANE still has shown enough to be a contender for a place.

 

The ground is drying out and no rain is forecast. That is a worry for soft-ground-lover TRUESHAN, who won this race when it was run on soft ground in 2021. He returned to winning ways when dropped into a Listed race at Sandown over 3,245m last time and cannot be ignored if allowed to line-up.

 

GREGORY looked a promising stayer last season when he won the G2 Queen’s Vase over 2,831m at Royal Ascot. But after a promising comeback third in the G2 Yorkshire Cup over 2,771m in May, his tame run in last month’s G1 Gold Cup over 3,991m at Royal Ascot was a big disappointment.

 

SELECTIONS: 4. KYPRIOS, 5. SWEET WILLIAM, 2. COLTRANE, 7. TRUESHAN & 3. GREGORY

 

4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 4. KYPRIOS & 5. SWEET WILLIAM
S1-5: Multiple – 4. FAIR WIND & 12. LORD RIDDIFORD

 

S1-5     4yo+ 86-105 Handicap

 

FAIR WIND has an attractive profile and his win at Ascot over 1,000m recently was by far the best performance of his career, so expect him to be a big threat in the 1,000m handicap. Ascot is much stiffer than Goodwood, but the Owen Burrows-trained 4YO gelding did score at this track over 1,000m in May and the improving grey gives the impression he has more to offer. His turf wins have come on good and soft ground, so conditions should not bother him and he is forecast to go close.

 

LORD RIDDIFORD is set to be a popular selection as well given he has won this race for the last three years.
He seems to adore Goodwood’s 1,000m course, is versatile when it comes to ground and is rated lower than he has been for any of his four victories at the track. The booking of Hollie Doyle - on board for the 2021 success in this - is a positive too.

 

Trained by John & Sean Quinn, JM JUNGLE was an eye-catching fourth in the 1,000m Handicap at the Curragh last time. He was short of room on that occasion, but finished with a flourish and has some solid form in big-field handicaps, while his last victory was over this course and distance in a traditionally warm three-year-old handicap at this fixture 12 months ago.

 

The sharp nature of the track at Goodwood is expected to suit DEMOCRACY DILEMMA, a speedy, consistent sort who must have a fine chance. A 1,014m winner at Chester in May, when he displayed plenty of pace, he was then second at Windsor over 1,019m and in Epsom’s ‘Dash’ Handicap over 1,000m before disappointing in a Listed race at Haydock over 1,000m. The 4YO was back on track when third at Listed level at York over 1,000m most recently, a repeat of which would make him a player for Robert Cowell, who excels with this type of horse.

 

DEMOCRACY DILEMMA is owned by Goodwood enthusiasts Mrs Fitri Hay, who target this meeting and also run EQUILATERAL, who verged on being top class in his prime. He has not fired in two runs at the track, but they have been at a higher level in the G2 King George Stakes over 1,000m. He has won several times over 1,000m, worth keeping an eye on.

 

SELECTIONS: 4. FAIR WIND, 12. LORD RIDDIFORD, 7. JM JUNGLE, 1. DEMOCRACY DILEMMA & 2. EQUILATERAL

 

5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 4. FAIR WIND & 12. LORD RIDDIFORD
S1-6: Multiple – 5. I MAXIMUS & 14. WHEELS OF FIRE

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:   
Banker – 4. FAIR WIND
Selections – 12. LORD RIDDIFORD, 7. JM JUNGLE, 1. DEMOCRACY DILEMMA & 2. EQUILATERAL
S1-6:   
Banker – 5. I MAXIMUS
Selections – 14. WHEELS OF FIRE, 11. THE FINGAL RAVEN, 2. CARRADOS & 6. JOUNCY

 

S1-6     2yo Maiden

 

Richard Hughes had few peers around Goodwood in his riding days, and the fact that I MAXIMUS started a short-priced favourite on his debut at Newbury over 1,200m suggests he is high up in the stable’s pecking order. It was an eye-catching first appearance for I MAXIMUS, who reared up when the stalls opened so was given plenty of time to find his feet. Although he finished off his race well, he had to be content with third place but the first two both had previous experience and looked above average. Significantly, Hughes has booked his old weighing room ally Ryan Moore.

 

Richard Hannon has a phenomenal record over this course, especially in the juvenile races. However, normally the Hannon youngsters improve for a first run, and that looked like being the case for WHEELS OF FIRE on his debut at Windsor over 1,211m. WHEELS OF FIRE was weak in the betting beforehand, but he travelled like a good horse throughout the race. Furthermore, had he managed to see daylight in the last 300m he might well have won rather than finishing fourth. The experience will not have been lost on him either.

 

There was also a lot to like about the debut of THE FINGAL RAVEN, who finished an encouraging third to a classy rival over 1,201m at Lingfield. The form has since received a handsome boost with the winner running a cracker in the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and then making short work of Listed opposition at the same course recently. Add to that the fact both the second and fourth won next time out, and, with Jamie Osborne’s stable flying this season, THE FINGAL RAVEN ticks a lot of boxes.

 

CARRADOS has taken time to settle in his races, but he has been gelded since he finished second here in June over 1,200m. His form is solid, with the winner rated highly and the third having since chased home a smart rival in the G2 race over 1,200m at Newmarket.

 

JOUNCY learned from his promising debut at Newbury over 1,200m when finishing second at Kempton over 1,200m. The winner from that contest has since finished third in the Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. I MAXIMUS, 14. WHEELS OF FIRE, 11. THE FINGAL RAVEN, 2. CARRADOS & 6. JOUNCY

 

6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 5. I MAXIMUS & 14. WHEELS OF FIRE
S1-7: Multiple – 4. STRUTTING & 1. MOONSPIRIT

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 5. I MAXIMUS, 14. WHEELS OF FIRE & 11. THE FINGAL RAVEN
S1-7: Multiple – 4. STRUTTING, 1. MOONSPIRIT & 12. IMPERIAL EXPRESS
S1-8: Multiple – 10. MISS BODACIOUS, 11. DANCE AND ROMANCE & 14. BALMORAL LADY

 

S1-7     3yo+ Fillies & Mares 76-95 Handicap

 

This 1,608m is much less competitive than the Sandringham Stakes over 1,600m at Royal Ascot, where STRUTTING finished an excellent second. The drop back in distance seemed to help John & Thady Gosden’s filly, as prior to that she had been beaten over 2,000m and 2,398m at Newmarket and Goodwood. Her penultimate start when fourth in a Listed race at Goodwood over 1,979m marked her down as a filly potentially better than handicap class, and it may have been the trip that beat her, as she lost two places towards the finish. She will handle the likely quick ground at Goodwood and, over what looks her best trip for now, this daughter of FRANKEL looks the one to beat.

 

MOONSPIRIT was another filly to run at Royal Ascot, where she finished a respectable seventh in the Kensington Palace Stakes over 1,600m. Dropped in class following that run, she has managed two wins from two starts since, getting up in the final strides at Beverley over 1,691m before running out an easy winner at Hamilton over 1,662m. On both of those occasions MOONSPIRIT has been ridden by a claimer, but now William Buick takes over in the saddle and further improvement can be expected. A worry for this daughter of KINGMAN, though, is she has a wide draw in stall 11 to contend with and may find things happening a bit fast for her over this sharp 1,600m.

 

IMPERIAL EXPRESS gets in near the bottom of the handicap, after a comfortable win when making all the running at Ffos Las over 1,600m last time. She looks the type of filly from the Andrew Balding yard that will continue to progress through the ranks and shouldn’t be discounted now she has a confidence boosting win to her name. Again, a wide draw in 13 could be an issue.

 

The draw has been kinder to ARISAIG, who has landed an inside berth in stall 3. Charlie Johnston’s filly finished five lengths behind STRUTTING in the Sandringham Stakes at Ascot, before going on to finish third at Newmarket July Course 1,400m last time. While this sharp 1,608m may well suit her and she could be vulnerable in the closing stages.

MERCURY DAY has won both her starts since joining the Conrad Allen yard this season. She was a two-length winner at Newmarket July Course over 1,600m on her handicap debut last time and hasn’t taken a huge rise in the ratings for that, so she should be competitive again.

 

SELECTIONS: 4. STRUTTING, 1. MOONSPIRIT, 12. IMPERIAL EXPRESS, 6. ARISAIG & 9. MERCURY DAY

 

7TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-7: Multiple – 4. STRUTTING & 1. MOONSPIRIT
S1-8: Multiple – 10. MISS BODACIOUS & 11. DANCE AND ROMANCE

 

S1-8     HKJC World Pool Fillies Handicap

 

MISS BODACIOUS failed in her hat-trick bid last time out, but she looks set to make a bold bid back down in trip in this HKJC World Pool Fillies’ Handicap over 1,200m. After winning a 1,200m novice on her second start at Chelmsford she then followed that up in a 1,200m handicap at Newmarket’s July Course. A step up to 1,400m back at the July Course appeared to catch the Karl Burke-trained 3YO out last time with her effort only coming to an end inside the last 200m. The return to 1,200m will be a plus for the ZOUSTAR filly who looks to have plenty more to offer.

 

DANCE AND ROMANCE is one of the least experienced runners in the field having had just the three starts, however she appears a filly with lots of potential. The Andrew Balding-trained 3YO lost her unbeaten record in a 1,201m novice event at Lingfield on her second start, but she bounced back to form when winning with a little bit to spare on good-to-soft ground in a 1,216m handicap at Nottingham. Although given a small rise in the ratings for that win she looks well placed to run a big race.

 

BALMORAL LADY got off the mark back over 1,000m in a handicap at Haydock last time out having previously finished second on her first three starts. Each of her defeats came over 1,009m to 1,202m, however she was denied a clear run on her second outing at Bath, before only just being caught late on during her penultimate run at Doncaster. The downhill nature of the track here should suit the daughter of INVINCIBLE ARMY on her return to 1,200m.

 

KATEY KONTENT has performed well all season after backing up her winning return in a 1,200m handicap at Windsor with two solid efforts in defeat over the same trip. Last season her best form was with soft in the going description so any moisture in the ground will not be a hindrance to the daughter of HAVANA GREY, who is likely to put up another bold bid despite carrying a big weight.

 

STAR OF LADY M will be making her 14th start of the year, but her busy spell showed no signs of catching up with her when winning a 1,200m handicap at Newmarket July Course last time out. The David O’Meara-trained 4YO has some useful course form to her name after finishing third in a 1,000m conditions race in 2022 and given her current vein of form she should run well again.

 

SELECTIONS: 10. MISS BODACIOUS, 11. DANCE AND ROMANCE, 14. BALMORAL LADY, 2. KATEY KONTENT & 3. STAR OF LADY M

 

 

 

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