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

SATURDAY Day Five
An excellent day on Friday for connections of Suesa who won Thursday's King George Qatar Stakes. Now we come to the final day of the meeting with some big races to take a look at and the feature is the challenge that is the 28 runner Stewards Cup off at 3.35pm.
With the Galway racing festival also on we've only been looking at the major races each day not the entire card so focused on the main Group Races or major handicaps. The Unibet Stewards Cup takes centre stage for the final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Previous winners of this iconic sprint include Lochsong and Dancing Star. The six furlong cavalry charge of the Unibet Stewards Cup is a sight to behold, with a field of 28 sprinters thundering down the Goodwood straight and one of the biggest betting heats of the turf season.

Going - Good (Good to soft in places)
Weather - Generally cloudy day, bit breezy and high 21C

1:55 Stewards Sprint Handicap
6f  [28 runners]
Today's handicaps won't be easy at all and we begin our selective races with a bumper 28 runner handicap where top weight FIRST FOLIO may well gain consolation for not quite making it into the Stewards Cup later today and well fancied here despite the weight burden. Power Over Me, Very progressive 4yo who bagged fifth AW win of 2021 at Wolverhampton in March. Took his form up another notch on turf at Epsom 30 days ago, passing post first but weighing in 2lb light and disqualified. Able Kane [2nd @33/1] is an interesting each way option (33/1) posted a career best when winning 6f handicap at Leicester in May but turned in rare below-par run at Windsor only start since. Could well bounce back after a break and Oisin Murphy retains ride no forlorn hope here.
Selections - First Folio (win @6/1)  /  Able Kane (each way @33/1).  2nd @33/1

2:30 Unibet Summer Handicap
1m 6f  [14 runners]
On To Victory was last year's November Handicap victor who has been in winning form over hurdles before returning with good second in 1m4f listed event here. Likely to go well back in handicap company for Alan King and has Tom Marquand booked for the ride available at 10/1 in the early shows. Will also have an interest in the Sir Michael Stoute trained My Frankel, returned to racing as a 4yo with a win at Kempton back on the up when third in Old Newton Cup at Haydock four weeks ago and step up in trip likely to suit, stable also runs Boss Power here [now a non runner].

Selections - On To Victory  /  My Frankel.

3:05 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2)
1m 6f  [9 runners]

A staying contest for fillies and mares only, Wonderful Tonight is clearly the one to beat here and likely to go off odds-on, is highly progressive on going softer than good, including a Group 1 success on Champions Day last October. Excellent winner of Royal Ascot's Hardwicke Stakes on return and leading player with any further rain a plus, William Buick riding again.

The Irish challenge might be the place to look for something to chase the favourite home, Traisha (JP O'Brien) [Non Runner] needs to bounce back but we haven't given up on this one yet, 20/1 could well place, and his father Aiden runs Divinely is a Group 3 winner over 1m as a 2yo and acquitted herself as a 3yo with plenty of credit up in trip this term, keeping on for second behind Snowfall in Irish Oaks last time and therefore not out of things stepping up in trip again priced around 16/1 a place bet for us.
Selections - Wonderful Tonight (NAP) Won 4/5f  /  Divinely (place).

3:35 Qatar Stewards Cup (Heritage Handicap)

6f  [28 runners]
A maximum field of 28 runners for this summer renewal of the Stewards Cup, where plenty of luck in running will be needed, and it makes sense to take one from each side of the draw while the betting will be frantic and it's 7/1 the field as we currently stand. 
A race won last year by Summerghand, who reappears again this afternoon (pictured above) and is only headed by top weight with Chil Chil [Non Runner] wouldn't be surprised if either of these took centre stage but will look elsewhere for something with a more appealing handicap mark. Commanche Falls [WON @10/1], has a cracking strike rate, getting up late when recording his third win of the year in the Scottish Stewards' Cup handicap at Hamilton a 6lb rise might not stop further progress here though the high draw might. Zarzyni [Non Runner] is another to win last time out (Redcar) and carry a penalty, and a relatively low draw so that's the pair for me against the field.

Selections - Commanche Falls [WON @10/1]  /  Zarzyni [N/R].
  
Have enjoyed the racing this week despite all the non runners and the rain. Found some decent winners today including the big handicap so end the week very happy. We have big crowds back to enjoy the action and we will hope that things keep improving, have a great weekend. 

That's all for this week at Goodwood, Results will appear here during the course of Saturday afternoon. Enjoy your weekend we've still got some action over in Ireland at Galway this weekend, and we will be back racing again soon with some meetings at Pontefract and Kempton Park to update for next week, we hope there will be some other festivals to enjoy in the summer too. Keep safe, be happy, see you soon.