15:35 Goodwood

Tuesday 30 July 2019

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

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

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 3m 29.11s

(3)

Cross Counter⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 118| C| D

3/1

Broke the 1m4f course record at last year. Melbourne Cup winner and progressive stayer who travelled best in the Ascot Gold Cup last time, perhaps not quite managing to stay the marathon trip. Still has potential to improve back at 2m here.

Form: 1121-14

(6)

Dee Ex Bee⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 118| C| D

11/2

Runner-up in last year's Derby and has improved for the step up in trip this season, winning a pair of Group 3 races and put up a bold effort from the front when staying on well for second in the Gold Cup last time out. Place claims again.

Form: 243-112

(8)

Southern France³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| BF

16/1

Hasn't won since a Listed win at Navan back in 2018 at 1m5f. Not beaten all that far by Stradivarius in the Yorkshire Cup in May but hasn't built on that effort and probably flattered to some extent. Steps up in trip and others hold stronger claims.

Form: 37-3264

(2)

Stradivarius⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 120| CD

4/5

On a remarkable run, bidding for his eighth success on the spin here after his Ascot Gold Cup success last time out with several of these in behind. Has won the last two renewals of this race and his chance is there for all to see.

Form: 1111-11

(1)

Wells Farhh Go³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 112

16/1

Group 3 winner as a juvenile and in and out of form since. Got his head back in front in a Listed race at Newmarket last time out but has much more on his plate against these rivals.

Form: 1/6614-1

(7)

Dashing Willoughby¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 113

14/1

Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot and unsuited by the drop in trip when bidding to make all the Newmarket subsequently. Could have more to give at this new trip and while he has a fair bit to find on form, he's not without an each-way squeak.

Form: 28-2314

(4)

Harpo Marx^b⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97

50/1

Odds on when winning a maiden at Tipperary last month and improved to finish sixth of 13 in the Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last time out. Plenty more needed up in trip here but less exposed than most.

Form: 8-0216

(9)

South Pacific⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101

16/1

Maiden winner at Naas and produced a career best when staying on well to win a competitive 1m4f handicap at Royal Ascot last time. Has plenty to find on bare form though and breeding doesn't suggest he'll improve for the step up to 2m.

Form: 22-B121

Non-Runners

(5)

Raa Atoll³²

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: L Comer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Stradivarius (4/5), Cross Counter (3/1), Dee Ex Bee (11/2), Dashing Willoughby (14/1), Southern France (16/1), South Pacific (16/1), Wells Farhh Go (16/1), Harpo Marx (50/1), Raa Atoll (50/1)

STRADIVARIUS is bidding to match the record of Double Trigger and become just the second horse to have won this race three times. While his main rival Cross Counter had excuses last time when forced wide entering the straight, Stradivarius seemingly had a bit to spare when he hit the line and he's taken to confirm the form with Charlie Appleby's star stayer. Dee Ex Bee should be able to see off the remainder but he will face competition for the lead with both Wells Farhh Go and Dashing Willoughby in the line up.