Architect Tips delivers a full runners guide and his best bet for today’s feature, the Group 1 Goodwood Cup.
Goodwood Cup
The main attraction on the opening day of the five-day fixture is the Group 1 Goodwood Cup, with hot favourite Illinois heading the market following his second-place effort in the Ascot Gold Cup.
Aidan O’Brien bids to win the race for the fifth time having taken it twelve months ago with Kyprios. Eight stand their ground for Tuesday’s feature.
Goodwood Cup Runners Guide
Dubai Future (Christophe Soumillon) 22/1
Winner of the 2022 Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot and landed back-to-back races in Meydan earlier this year, including the Dubai Gold Cup, when beating the returning Trawlerman.
Godolphin’s team-member picked up the pieces to finish third in the Ascot Gold Cup last time out, and could again hit the frame at large odds, but he’s vulnerable for win purposes.
French Master (James Doyle) 7/1
Has won four of his last five starts and gamely landed the Copper Horse Handicap last time out. He is interesting stepping up in grade and being open to further improvement.
However, I fear he may find this level all too much for him at this early stage of his career, and having only scrambled home to beat the 87-rated Story Horse on his penultimate start at this course, work is clearly needed.
Illinois (Ryan Moore) 7/4f
Last seen finishing runner-up in the Ascot Gold Cup to Trawlerman, Aidan O’Brien’s leading representative will bid to go one better and land a first Group 1 win of his career.
Yet to finish outside the top three in 11 starts, including when marginally denied by Jan Brueghel in last year’s St Leger, he holds obvious claims. However, a personal best will be required if he’s to break his duck at this level. I think he’s short enough.
Military Academy (William Buick) 22/1
Done very little wrong so far in his career, finishing no worse than second on all starts in the UK and was last seen pushing Hamish close at this venue.
This is a significant step up in grade and class though, and he probably wants the ground softer. He could run well at a price but I suspect a few others will have his measure under these conditions.
Sunway (Oisin Murphy) 16/1
Runner-up in last year’s Irish Derby and wasn’t far behind Illinois when fourth in the St Leger that same year.
His recent fourth in the Hardwicke Stakes was a step forward from previous efforts this term but I’m just not convinced he wants this trip.
He’s yet to run like he would appreciate a stamina test, so others are preferred.
Sweet William (Rab Havlin) 9/1
Remarkably consistent and was only beaten four lengths by Kyprios in this race twelve months ago when runner-up to the great stayer.
The six-year-old has some of the best form in the book, he will love conditions and stays really well. In addition, he’s the joint highest rated runner alongside Illinois and Dubai Future.
He won his only other previous course start and split both Kyprios and Trawlerman in last year’s Long Distance Cup at Ascot. He deserves to get his head in front.
Trueshan (Hollie Doyle) 28/1
Would go down as a heartwarming winner if he was to succeed, but he’s approaching the backend of his career and a place might be the best he can hope for. He did win this race back in 2021 but he’s now a nine-year-old and it’s hard to see improving on last year’s fourth.
Scandinavia (Wayne Lordan) 13/5
Impressively got the job done at Newmarket last time out, but this is a completely different level of opposition and I’ll be surprised if he wins this to be honest. He should enjoy the extra yardage but others have more compelling profiles.
Goodwood Cup Tips
SWEET WILLIAM (best price 9/1) seems ridiculously overpriced given he’s been running so well at the highest level and must have a great chance of landing a maiden Group 1 to his CV.
He ran so well to finish second months ago, and with no Kyprios and Trawlerman in the field to face, this could finally be the year he gets his big day in the sun. I think he’s got a cracking chance.
