Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
The feature race on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood this Tuesday is the 2m Group 1 Goodwood Cup (15:15). Stradivarius has won it in each of the last three seasons, so it’s difficult to make a case against him.
Trained by John Gosden for owner Bjorn Nielsen, the six-year-old is the best stayer of his generation. Stradivarius won the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and then took full advantage of the weight-for-age he got in this as a three-year-old back in 2017.
He ran out a 1 3/4 lengths victor over Big Orange, winner of the Goodwood Cup in each of the previous two seasons. Although beaten in the St Leger and Long Distance Cup, he was better than ever in 2018.
Stradivarius went five races unbeaten aged four, landing the Yorkshire Cup, Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, a successful defence of this, the Lonsdale Cup during the Ebor Festival and the Long Distance Cup.
The son of Sea The Stars won each of those first four races again in 2019, landing successive Weatherbys Hamilton Million bonuses. Stradivarius even scooped the Doncaster Cup, completing the Flat Stayers’ Triple Crown.
Although defeated on the nod by Kew Gardens in the Long Distance Cup on his final start of last season, he shaped nicely when third in the Coronation Cup on reappearance over an inadequate trip.
That form is good too as the winner, Ghiayyath, came out and won the Eclipse at Sandown. Stradivarius had always just done what was needed to win, but destroyed a weak field when completing his Gold Cup hat-trick at Royal Ascot by 10 lengths.
His claims of a historic fourth Goodwood Cup are obvious. It is very difficult to make any case against Stradivarius on all known form, despite cramped odds.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
Just as Stradivarius once had 15lb weight-for-age on his side in this race, Santiago gets that allowance. He is the only conceivable danger and 5lb well-in on the hot favourite, according to adjusted ratings.
This three-year-old by Authorized has won both the Queen’s Vase and Irish Derby this season. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Irish raider has made rapid progress over the summer.
After winning a mile maiden on his final start as a juvenile, connections went straight to Royal Ascot for the Queen’s Vase. Santiago kept on well when shaken up two out and beat Berkshire Rocco by 2 3/4 lengths.
He was dropped back in trip and up in grade for the Irish Derby at The Curragh when last in action. Although pressed in the final furlong, Santiago showed guts and held stable companion Tiger Moth by a length.
Goodwood Cup race terms are in his favour with the only question being whether tackling 2m is coming too soon in his career. Santiago has had just five career starts, but has shaped like a stayer.
Given the lumps of weight he gets from Stradivarius, he looks a threat. The Irish Derby was a tough race, though, so for that reason alone he should be taken on.
Nayef Road best of rest in Goodwood Cup
The remainder of the seven-runner field have plenty to find. If one or other of the market principals fail to fire, then Nayef Road should take advatnage.
Trained by Mark Johnston, who has trained the Goodwood Cup winner five times, this four-year-old won his only previous start at the trip.
That came on reappearance in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes which was moved to Newcastle. Nayef Road, a colt by the mighty Galileo, kept on strongly in the final furlong.
He beat stable companion Mildenberger by three-quarters of a length, and then chased home Stradivarius in the Gold Cup. While Nayef Road didn’t stay the marathon two-and-a-half miles of that, dropping down in distance is a plus.
Johnston also saddled him to victory at last year’s Glorious Goodwood when he landed the Gordon Stakes. The way that Nayef Road gamely forged ahead to win over a trip short of optimum was taking.
While he is 3lb worse off at the weights with the re-opposing Spanish Mission, there is more evidence that he stays. Nayef Road went on to be a fine third in the St Leger at Doncaster last autumn.
An official rating of 115, the same as Santiago before weight-for-age comes into things, puts him 4lb and upward clear of the other four Goodwood Cup runners.
On that basis, Nayef Road is clear third best on adjusted figures. Given his trainer’s fine record in the race, he can hit the frame.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. T&Cs apply.
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card/Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
