We’re all looking for value in races like this Saturday’s Unibet Stewards’ Cup. But sometimes you just have to acknowledge that the bookmakers have probably got the market near enough right and simply settle for finding the winner.
Layers at Glorious Goodwood this week have taken a few big hits so they were never likely to be over-generous in pricing up one of the big betting heats of the week on the final day, especially when Ryan Moore is riding one of the obvious contenders for a stable that he’s not normally associated with.
SPRING LOADED is still an 8/1 chance with Boylesports and that is probably as near as you are going to get to value in a race which has seen a number of significant gambles landed in times gone by. Paul D’Arcy’s grey has only won three times on Turf compared to his eight victories on the all-weather. However, considering that 6f is his trip, he showed excellent speed to beat a big field over 5f at Ascot three weeks ago. He clearly loves these ‘cavalry charges’ as he also won the hugely-competitive Portland at Doncaster last year. From stall 19, Moore has the option of crossing to stands side or staying central in the Stewards’ Cup and it’s difficult to see the six-year-old not being in the firing-line.
Stewards’ Cup History and Trends
The Unibet Stewards’ Cup dates back to the 1830s and has developed into one of the most competitive sprint handicaps of the season. The prize money isn’t bad either with £250,000 added including more than £155,000 to the winner. It’s been run on the final day of Glorious Goodwood since 1993. Five horse have won the 6f sprint twice but the last double winner was in the 1960s.
- Three-year-old won in 2015 and 2016 but older sprinters have generally held sway since the turn of the century.
- Goodwood’s 6f is mainly downhill but don’t be fooled into believing that this is a race for 5f specialists as each of the last 11 winners had won previously over the trip.
- Winning form in the grade is a definite plus and the draw does play a part with those drawn towards the centre seeming to fare best.
Foxtrot Lady (a general 7/1) carries the Jeff Smith colours made famous by previous winners Lochsong and Dancing Star. Like that pair, she is a three-year-old filly on an upward curve and she has been far for overawed in big fields recently at York and Newmarket.
Tis Marvellous (a general 10/1) finished just ahead of Silent Echo and George Bowen in another valuable sprint handicap, the Wokingham, at Ascot in June. Clive Cox’ four-year-old has had a light campaign and this may have been a long-term target. Growl, a 14/1 chance with Coral, has to go on the short-list as he has finished fourth in the last two runnings of the Stewards’ Cup and is 10lb lower than 12 months ago. A case can also be made for stablemate Marie Of Lyon at bigger odds (a general 33/1) given she’s faced some stiff tasks since winning at Brighton and Pontefract last September.
Unibet Stewards’ Cup Current Best Odds
Foxtrot Lady 7/1, Spring Loaded 8/1, Tis Marvellous 10/1, George Bowen, Silent Echo and Growl 14/1, Gifted Master, Gunmetal and Lancelot Du Lac 16/1, Aeolus, Glenamoy Lad and Pettochside 20/1, Eirene, Justanotherbottle, Haddaf, Muscika and Tupi 25/1, Atletico, Marie Of Lyon, Open Wide, Solar Flair, Swift Approval and Watchable 33/1, Merhoob 40/1, Poyle Vinne, Barrington and Reputation 50/1, Quench Dolly 66/1
(Odds Correct at 10.45am August 3)
