15:35 Goodwood

Tuesday 27 July 2021

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 37.05s

(4)

Amhran Na Bhfiann³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112

14/1

Readily brushed aside in the Gold Cup but down in trip with blinkers discarded, he produced a strong front-running performance when doubling tally at the Curragh. This no easy race to back that up.

Form: 32-1401

(5)

Away He Goes¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: I Mohammed| OR: 111

33/1

Better than ever upped in both trip and grade when 5¾ lengths third to Subjectivist in Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (15.9f, good) in March. Also shaped quite well when fifth at York 17 days ago.

Form: 5-32535

(7)

Emperor Of The Sun⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: G M Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 112

10/1

Gained a deserved second success, and a first at listed level, at Leopardstown in May. Kept at it for fifth at Ascot and while he lacks the class of a few of these, stamina is clearly his forte.

Form: 420-315

(11)

Nayef Road⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 111| C| D

28/1

Filled the forecast spot behind Stradivarius at Ascot and this race last summer. Unable to maintain those levels this year, the latest sixth in the Gold Cup was a bit more like it.

Form: 23-3556

(8)

Santiago⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111

6/1

Irish Derby winner who was also fourth in the St Leger last season. Better run second time back this year when second to Spanish Mission in the Yorkshire Cup prior to a seventh-place finish at Ascot.

Form: 134-427

(6)

Serpentine^p⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

8/1

Stunning front-running Derby success in 2020 a big stand out performance. Possibly needed run at the Curragh on return and stamina gave way having been supplemented for Ascot Gold Cup,

Form: 1144-78

(9)

Sir Ron Priestley¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 118| C

9/2

Enjoyed a fantastic 3-y-o campaign and returned with 2 victories, including the Jockey Club at Newmarket. Settled better when making all on the July Course 3 weeks ago and supplemented for this.

Form: 2/11371

(2)

Trueshan³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 118| BF| D

6/5

Sound return when second in the Ormonde Stakes and having been rerouted from Ascot (due to ground) he produced a cracking effort from a very high mark when sixth in the Northumberland Plate.

Form: 1811-26

Non-Runners

(3)

Mekong¹²²

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: J A Osborne J: J P Spencer

(10)

Spanish Mission⁴⁰

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: A M Balding J: W Buick

(1)

Stradivarius⁴⁰

Weight: 9-9| Age: 7

T: J & T Gosden J: L Dettori

Forecasts

Trueshan (6/5), Stradivarius (5/4), Sir Ron Priestley (9/2), Spanish Mission (11/2), Santiago (6/1), Serpentine (8/1), Emperor Of The Sun (10/1), Amhran Na Bhfiann (14/1), Nayef Road (28/1), Away He Goes (33/1), Mekong (100/1)

STRADIVARIUS has suffered a dent to his strike rate in recent times, but there were clear excuses at Ascot (denied a clear run and Dettori was gentle on him once his winning chance had gone) and he remains the one to beat in his quest for the 5-timer in this race. With Gold Cup winner Subjectivist out for the season, Spanish Mission and Trueshan look the main threats.