15:35 Goodwood

Tuesday 31 July 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Qatar Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 30.56s

(5)

Call To Mind⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 109| C| D

12/1

1m6f Listed winner in 2017 and narrowly denied in a French Group 2 in September. Improved from his reappearance with a good third to Stradivarius at York and landed a Grade 2 in the Belmont Gold Cup last time. Lightly raced and has place claims.

Form: 312-431

(2)

Dal Harraild^b1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P Hanagan| T: W J Haggas| OR: 111| BF| C| D

25/1

Dual Listed winner who got his head back in front at Chelmsford in March. Well beaten in Meydan since though and disappointed at York on his latest start. Needs to improve markedly for the fitting of first-time blinkers.

Form: 166-102

(1)

Desert Skyline^p⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 112

14/1

Third in this last year before landing the Group 2 Doncaster Cup and came on for his reappearance when second to Stradivarius at York. Shaped as if amiss at Royal Ascot last time but it's worth forgiving that and he won't mind any ease in the going.

Form: 219-329

(7)

Idaho³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

8/1

Two-time Group 2 winner and returned with a smart effort when dropped in class at Chester. Often sweats up before his races so that can't be used as an excuse for his two recent below par runs and wouldn't want any rain. Steps up in trip.

Form: 45-8145

(4)

St Michel^b³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 108| BF| CD

40/1

C&D winner. Only seen three times in 2017, runner-up in a US Grade 3 at Belmont before an encouraging effort when beaten ½L in a York Group 2. Well beaten in a German Listed race on return last month though and this is his toughest test to date.

Form: 30/223-8

(6)

Stradivarius⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| CD

4/5

Won this race last year. Finished the campaign with a fine third in the St Leger and has returned in even better form this year. Latest win came in the Ascot Gold Cup, quickening up best from off the pace and he's hard to oppose here.

Form: 1133-11

(3)

Torcedor^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 119| D

10/3

Has placed twice at the highest level, most recently when third to Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup. Proven on soft ground so he'll probably want some rain to fall if he's going to be able to reverse the form. Strong place claims regardless.

Form: 522-013

Forecasts

Stradivarius (4/5), Torcedor (10/3), Idaho (8/1), Call To Mind (12/1), Desert Skyline (14/1), Dal Harraild (25/1), St Michel (40/1)

There seems little point in trying to oppose STRADIVARIUS provided the rain stays away after his game effort in the Ascot Gold Cup when last seen and he's hard to pick holes with course form on his side having won this race last year. Torcedor wasn't far behind the selection in the Gold Cup and he would certainly be of interest if the ground turns soft. Call To Mind is the most interesting from the remainder after a career best effort in a US Grade 2 last time out.