Stewards’ Cup History and Trends
Widely regarded as one of the most competitive sprint handicaps in the UK racing calendar, the Qatar Stewards’ Cup has long been a feature of the final day of Glorious Goodwood.
As always, punter will have to take a deep breath before diving into the various form lines that interweave among the 28 declared runners, though three favourites have won in the last 10 years so it may not be the minefield it first appears as two of the other seven winners in that period started at single-figure odds.
Only one three-year-old has won since the turn of the century but, to be fair, the younger generation are not normally represented in depth and Magical Memory reversed the trend 12 months ago.
Dandy Nicholls used to have one laid out for this cavalry charge on a regular basis and runs two in-form sprinters this year in Kimberella and Orions’s Bow. Both are prominent in the betting with the latter, on a six-timer, forecast to be sent off at the head of the market (a general 6/1).
But it’s also worth noting that William Haggas has had two winners and a place from just six runners in the Stewards’ Cup since 2006 and his entry, RAUCOUS, is worth a second look at 20/1 with several firms including Ladbrokes.
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It’s not certain that the form which saw Raucous finish within three lengths of the high-class The Tin Man in a Group 3 sprint at Newbury can be successfully translated back to a race like the Stewards’ Cup. But, at his current odds, it’s surely a chance worth taking. The well-bred Dream Ahead colt is running in only his second handicap and the first was over 7f, which stretches his stamina. A fast-run 6f on a sharp track like Goodwood should prove ideal.
Another three-year-old, Dancing Star, also looks to have leading claims. She carries the colours made famous by another brilliant Stewards’ Cup winner Lochsong and connections will have been relieved that the filly has scraped in at the bottom of the handicap. She’s won three of her last four, including one over course and distance, though is now only a best 6/1.
Last year’s second Toofi (11/1 in places) is fancied but worse off at the weights with third and fourth – Rivellino and Dinkum Diamond – who are both available at 33/1. Ridge Ranger (16/1 with Coral among others) has been in superb form but the handicapper may just have taken her measure and likewise with Growl (14/1 with Coral).
Qatar Stewards’ Cup Current Best Odds
Orion’s Bow and Dancing Star (6/1), Toofi (11/1), Kimberella and Growl (12/1), Ridge Ranger and Alben Star (16/1), Raucous (20/1), Sir Robert Cheval, Spring Loaded and Hold Tight (25/1), Hoofalong (28/1), Baccarat, Blaine, Dinkum Diamond, Duke Of Firenze, G Force, Go Far, Jamesie, Ninjago, Red Pike, Rivellino, Suzi’s Connoisseur and Moonraker (33/1), Swift Approval and Withernsea (40/1), Clear Spring and Poyle Vinnie (50/1)
