Goodwood Betting Odds

A straight six furlongs with a triangular loop on one side provides a variety of courses with the possibility of re-entering just above or below the five furlong gate. The cup course of about two and a half miles starts on a chute adjacent to the five furlong track, and running the reverse way of the course, turns left after about four furlongs and returns to the straight five furlong run in by the top bend. the Old Mile and seven furlong courses start on the Cup course and join the five furlong course on the lower bend. The five and six furlong (Stewards Cup) courses are perfectly straight, the first furlong of the latter being uphill and then slightly undulating to the finish. The sharp bends and downhill gradients suit the handy, well balanced neat actioned sort over middle distances, and are against the big long striding horse.
Draw bias: The draw bias on the straight course is sometimes hard to predict, but more often than not the far side (low numbers) is the place to be. It s generally a disadvantage to be stranded down the middle. On the round course, expecially over trips of seven furlongs to a mile, low numbers are strongly favoured. High drawn horses struggle to get an early position for the turn into the home straight and can find themselves in difficulties.