QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL 2021 [TUES 27th JULY - SAT 31st JULY] -- DAY ONE

TUESDAY Day One
Though it's now sponsored by Qatar it may not be officially called 'Glorious Goodwood' now, it still is for me and it's still one of the most scenic of race courses to visit, alas not this summer for us sadly, maybe next season. While I am also focused on the racing at Galway during this week there are plenty of good races here in Sussex to enjoy.

This week is a very busy one as we also covering the festival meeting over in Ireland at Galway so for Goodwood I shall only be looking at the major races here each day not the entire race card, we shall look at all the Group contests and include the 'Heritage Handicaps' such as the Stewards Cup. The meeting runs through until Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week.

Time for us to have a good look at day one, Tuesday's highlight is their stayers Group 1, the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup has a prize fund this year of around £500,000. Stradivarius won this for the fourth time last year and despite losing his Ascot Gold Cup crown this year is still the one to beat and looking for a fifth title here.

Going - Good.
Weather Forecast - Generally sunny, not as hot as the past month and a little bit breezy max temperature 19C with a chance of showers throughout the day.

2:25 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes 7f (Group 2)
Only seven runners declared for this Group 2 stakes, was won last year by Battleground, and this year Aiden O'Brien is represented by The Acropolis. The fancied runners include the unbeaten Berkshire Shadow trained by Andrew Balding winner of the Coventry stakes at Royal Ascot and looks to hold a strong chance if repeating that run. Also looking solid in the early betting markets is Richard Hannon's Lusail [Non Runner] winner of three out of his four runs to date including a Newmarket Group 2 last time, having avoided Royal Ascot.

Selection - Berkshire Shadow.

  

3:00 Qatar Lennox Stakes 7f (Group 2)
Another competitive Group 2 event, this time open to older horses but again over 7f. A field of fourteen declared headed by Duke of Hazzard [Non Runner], who is consistent in this level and a multiple winner here previously ought to go close. Space Blues won this last year and returns to defend again in the Godolphin blue silks, they also are represented by Creative Force and should be close between the pair. A decent priced each way option would be Real Appeal (20/1) the Irish challenge from Jessica Harrington who has snapped up champion jockey Oisin Murphy to ride.

Selections - Real Appeal (each way) [Non Runner].

3:35 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup 2m (Group 1).
Our feature race for day one is the Goodwood Cup a Group One contest for older horses over two miles. Field of eleven runners declared which include last years winner STRADIVARIUS [Non Runner] who would have returned to defend his title again seeking a fifth win and it's hard to see who will stop him despite his poor run in this years Ascot Gold Cup. Subjectivist who won the Ascot Gold Cup does not line up today, last years Derby winner Serpentine does though and still has to prove that 2m is his trip. Plenty of rain has caused several non runners today sadly. 
Selection - Stradivarius [Non Runner].

That's all for us on Tuesday, we'll have more top quality racing to enjoy tomorrow including the Group 1 Sussex Stakes to tackle on Wednesday also racing all week over in Ireland with the Galway Festival.