Competitive Field Emerges for Steward's Cup
- By A.J. Ryder on July 13, 2011 16:41 GMT
One of the biggest, and we mean in terms of field size, races at this year's Glorious Goodwood Festival is easily the Steward's Cup which should pit several of the major contenders on the older handicap division against each other over an extremely tough slog. There is a fierce competition emerging for the position of outright favourite as we are still a ways off the final declarations. Well over 100 different selections remain in the running for this one.
Popular handicapper Hawkeyethenoo is set to go for back to back high profile victories after conquering the Victoria Cup at this year's Royal Ascot meeting. Easily one of the premier shorter-distance contenders around his age, this five year old bay trades around 10/1 or 12/1 depending on the bookmaker.
James Fanshawe's Deacon Blues scored in the Wokingham Stakes, a Heritage Handicap content, at Ascot against a tough field of 25. He only got home by a neck against the impressive Waffle, and the switch to Johnny Murtagh from Hayley Turner definitely paid dividends. He is only three off the lay-off and could still be set to find more ahead of this one he trades alongside Hawkeyethenoo at a 12/1 price.
Edinburgh Knight should be saddled for this one and he looks the selection from Paul D'Arcy's yard. He emerges off a score at Newcastle on the handicap division and, selectively campaigned, he should enjoy a more favourable weight here. Keep in mind he was well-beaten by Hoof It, who also looks likely to take some respect from the punters.
Dubai Media enjoys the distance and trades around the 20s but many consider him to be an all-weather horse and will likely find himself up against it here.
As the ante post market firms up the really interesting outsider looks to be the obscure Irish three-year-old What About You, who lines up for Richard Fahey. Look for him to get a very favourable weighting for this one, and if he can rediscover some of his old form he could show something new. Look for him to find a bit extra as he is still improving.
