There was a consolation race nowadays for Unibet Stewards’ Cup and that has attracted 24 runners this year which shows how difficult it is to get a runner in the big race itself.
Stewards’ Cup History and Trends
The Stewards’ Cup is one of the big betting races of the week at Glorious Goodwood.
First run in 1840, it’s a 6f handicap open to three-year-olds and upwards. Formerly held on the opening day of the five-day meeting and the end of July, it was moved to the final day in 1993 – a move which probably helped bookmakers more than punters!
Only five horses have won it more than once and none of this year’s 28 runners will be adding their name to that list this year.
Recent Stewards’ Cup Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Weight | Jockey | Trainer | SP | Time |
|---|
| 2009 | Genki | 5 | 9-01 | Steve Drowne | Roger Charlton | 14/1 | 1:12.28 |
| 2010 | Evens and Odds | 6 | 8-10 | Billy Cray | David Nicholls | 20/1 | 1:11.55 |
| 2011 | Hoof It | 4 | 10-00 | Kieren Fallon | Mick Easterby | 13/2 JF | 1:09.91 |
| 2012 | Hawkeyethenoo | 6 | 9-09 | Graham Lee | Jim Goldie | 9/1 | 1:11.27 |
| 2013 | Rex Imperator | 4 | 9-04 | Neil Callan | William Haggas | 12/1 | 1:10.35 |
| 2014 | Intrinsic | 4 | 8-11 | Richard Hughes | Robert Cowell | 6/1 | 1:10.27 |
| 2015 | Magical Memory | 3 | 8-12 | Frankie Dettori | Charles Hills | 6/1 F | 1:10.28 |
| 2016 | Dancing Star | 3 | 8-12 | David Probert | Andrew Balding | 9/2 F | 1:09.81 |
| 2017 | Lancelot Du Lac | 7 | 9-05 | Frankie Dettori | Dean Ivory | 25/1 | 1:12.28 |
| 2018 | Gifted Master | 5 | 9-06 | Jason Watson | Hugo Palmer | 20/1 | 1:09.56 |
- All but one of the last winners had won previously over 6f
- None of the last 16 winners had run more than once at Goodwood previously
- Most recent winners had run at least three times that season
- Experience in a big-field handicap is generally an advantage
- Only one winner older than six since the turn of the century
Khaadem class can see him home
Roger Varian has already won the big sprint handicap at Royal Ascot this summer (the Wokingham) and had the second in this in 2015, one of only two previous runners in the contest.
Flavius Titus has won twice at Newmarket this year and is a best 11/1 for the Stewards’ Cup. Had the forecast going been quicker, the four-year-old would probably have been the selection.
KHAADEM is only a three-year-old and makes his handicap debut. His lack of experience in big fields is a slight concern but Charlie Hills’ colt has a real touch of class having been a bit unlucky in a Group 3 at Newbury last time. He won a Listed race at the same track earlier and was not unfancied in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in between so it’s no surprise that he is only a general 10/1.
Summerghand is a very tough sprinter who has solid each-way claims again at a best 16/1 and it’s a surprise to see Embour priced up at 33/1 with William Hill. Richard Hannon’s four-year-old only ran on Monday but has had a very good season and is still running well.
Another consistent sort is Cosmic Law (a general 16/1), who has been a bit unlucky on a couple of occasions though would have been a lot happier had the rain at the start of the week hung around a bit longer.
Justanotherbottle has been the subject of a massive ante-post gamble for Declan Carroll having finished second in the race last year (Growl was third) when 4lb higher. He’s probably been laid out for the race again but there hasn’t been an awful lot of encouragement in his two runs this season.
Unibet Stewards’ Cup Current Best Odds
Khaadem 10/1, Flavius Titus and Justanotherbottle 11/1, Spanish City 14/1, Cosmic Law, Gunmetal and Summerghand 16/1, Gulliver, Vanbrugh, Open Wide and Growl 20/1, Baron Bolt, George Bowen, Air Raid, Raucous and Soldier’s Minute 25/1, Buridan, Embour, Lake Volta, Ornate, Stone Of Destiny, True Mason, Kimifive and Aceribo 33/1, Sir Maximilian and Aljady 40/1, El Hombre and Hyperfocus 50/1
(Odds correct at 5.45pm August 1)
