Latest news with #GloriousGoodwood
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bookies forced to slash odds of new Stewards' Cup favourite despite start dilemma
Almeraq announced his candidacy for one of the hottest handicaps of the year with a comfortable success at Ayr on Monday but needs mass defections to get in the race Punters can't get enough of the new favourite for the Coral Stewards' Cup - even thought he is not guaranteed a start. The £250,00 6f dash on the last day of the Glorious Goodwood meeting is one of the hottest handicaps of the year, regularly drawing a maximum 28-runner field. The unexposed three-year-old Almeraq, trained by William Haggas for Shadwell, had won once in three starts but was strongly fancied on his handicap debut in the Ayr Gold Cup Trial at Ayr on Monday. Clifford Lee partnered the colt in the 6f race against older horses and victory was never in doubt. Almeraq raced on the outside of the field, took the lead with two furlong to run and put the race to bed with ease in the manner of an exciting horse, crossing the line five lengths in front of the second. Lee, speaking to RacingTV, said: 'I wasn't really happy with Almeraq's low draw and it wasn't ideal being stuck on the wing. I tried to get the best I could but he's done everything right and he'll come on from that. 'He's a big baby still but he'll learn a lot from that and I liked the way he finished his race off. I spoke to Mr Haggas beforehand and he said he wanted this sort of ground. He's a lovely big horse and I think he'll be a better horse in a better race.' Coral's first reaction was to promote Almeraq to 8-1 favourite from 20-1 for the Stewards' Cup, then 5-1 but within an hour the price had changed again. His odds tumbled further to 3-1. Spokesperson David Stevens said: 'Having initially cut Almeraq to 8-1 for the Coral Stewards' Cup, we were soon forced to cut those odds again to 5-1, and even that didn't deter punters, with the Ayr winner now an even shorter-priced market leader for one of the most competitive sprint handicaps of the season.' Being a three-year-old Almeraq is not guaranteed to get the chance to emulate 2019 race winner Khaadem, also Shadwell owned, and become the latest of his age to triumph. He is bound to be 'well in' once reassessed by the handicapper as he will only carry a 6lb penalty for his Ayr victory but will still need at least 28 defectors to be guaranteed a start.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
CALUM McCLURKIN: Fantastic four that can make Goodwood Glorious for punters
Scanning the early ante-post prices for Glorious Goodwood in nine days' time and it looks like a lot of favourites will be difficult to oppose. The first banker of the week appears to be ILLINOIS (5/6, bet365) in the Goodwood Cup. With no Trawlerman in the field, this seems to be there for the taking for Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old. Illinois travelled into the Ascot Gold Cup in stylish manner buy was outstayed in the end by a more experienced rival in Trawlerman. The drop in trip back to the bare two miles appears to be a huge positive for Illinois. He holds Sweet William on Ascot running and the sole danger looks to be the equally progressive French Master, who took out the Copper Horse Handicap in good style. But this is a much deeper race and takes on a tough rival in Illinois. Favourites have a good record in the Goodwood Cup, with six of the last seven going in. Illinois looks poised to enhance that record and while 5/6 is no gimme there's a case to be made that he ought to be shorter. Illinois can be joined in the multis with the peerless FIELD OF GOLD (4/7, William Hill) a day later in the Sussex Stakes. John and Thady Gosden's three-year-old was unlucky in the Guineas but won the Irish equivalent and the St James's Palace Stakes in good style. Connections sensibly swerved the Eclipse to freshen him up for this and it will be very difficult for Rosallion to give Field Of Gold weight. On official ratings, Field Of Gold is 1lb superior to Rosallion but the three-year-old receives eight pounds from their elders. A tough task has just got even tougher. Field Of Gold showed plenty of speed in the St James's Palace Stakes and it's understandable why the Gosdens are keeping him at a mile for now. Henri Matisse has three and a half lengths to find on Royal Ascot form, while Queen Anne one-two Docklands and Rosallion are probably bigger dangers. However, they have their work cut out in giving Field Of Gold weight. Again, odds of 4-7 are prohibitive but it's not hard to envisage him going off even shorter than that. It's the feature race on day three where a warm favourite can be opposed. Whirl is a tough filly but she's had two hard races from the front against Minnie Hauk in the Oaks and Kalpana in the Pretty Polly Stakes. 2-1 seems short enough. See The Fire is interesting but it wasn't really the plan to go to Royal Ascot and was beaten in this last year by a fellow three-year-old. She's improved subsequently but all her best performances have been at York. We have yet to see the best of BEDTIME STORY (8-1, bet365) but she's always given the impression that the Nassau Stakes is for her. A 10-furlong test with the emphasis on speed looks right up her alley. O'Brien's three-year-old filly has been unlucky in her two Classic runs over in France this season. She made late gains in the French Guineas when she probably needed the run. The wide draw was her undoing in Chantilly when running a mighty race in second in the French Oaks. There was strong money for her that day and Bedtime Story has shown indications that she's back to her very best. The impression she left at the Chesham Stakes at last year's Royal Ascot is still burned into the mind of many. Not a lot has gone right since but perhaps she can make up for lost time and cause a mini surprise at Goodwood in what could be the race of the meeting. The sprinters take centre stage on the Friday and it is little surprise that ASFOORA (5-2, William Hill) heads the market. The sprinter from Australia ran with credit when fifth to American Affair in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race she won last year. She went to the royal meeting this year without a prep run and that probably told for Asfoora. She ought to be sharper for the King George at Goodwood where she lost out by a head to Big Mojo. They reoppose again but Asfoora also had a penalty to contend with last year. She was conceding 5lb to Big Mojo last year but they'll compete off levels here. In an open division on the home front, Henry Dwyer's Aussie raider is fancied here to improve on her Ascot effort and take the spoils at Goodwood. PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK… She was made to work very hard to complete the Epsom and Irish Oaks double… but MINNIE HAUK was able to run down Wemightakedlongway to win at the Curragh. Ryan Moore was always in control and her superior staying power sealed victory at odds of 2-11 by around a length. There was a fleeting moment of concern around the bend but Minnie Hauk got organised down the home straight and despite taking some time to reach the runner-up she pulled away nicely. Stamina is definitely her forte and it'll be interesting to see whether the keep Minnie Hauk over a mile and a half or eye up a St Leger with the fillies' allowance. The former looks the more obvious way to go, with races such as the Yorkshire Oaks and the Arc on the agenda.
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
FREE £2 William Hill shop bets every day of Glorious Goodwood inside the Daily Mirror
Glorious Goodwood is one of the undisputed highlights in the summer racing calendar, set within one of the world's most picturesque racecourses on the estate of the Duke of Richmond in a relaxed yet formal atmosphere. Pick up the Daily Mirror every day of the festival from Tuesday July 29 until Saturday August 2, they're bringing you packed 12 page pullouts with all the runners, riders and punter insights you love, as well as a FREE shop bet from William Hill every day. Over five days from July 29 to August 2 the meeting, sponsored by Qatar, offers top quality racing with three notable feature events, the Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Cup and Nassau £1 million Sussex Stakes is the standout contest as it offers a generational clash between the three-year-olds from the Classic division and the best older horses at the one mile winners include the great Frankel, the only horse to win it twice, Kingman and Baaeed, while last year's victor Notable Speech may return to defend his crown against the new star Field Of Gold. The £500,000 Goodwood Cup, the highlight of day one, is a contest over two miles for the best stayers, while the £600,000 Nassau Stakes tests the best females over a mile and a quarter. The top race for sprinters is the King George Stakes while the major handicap of the week is the Coral Stewards Cup, on Saturday, always one of the biggest betting races of the year. So don't miss out this Glorious Goodwood - pick up your Daily Mirror from Tuesday July 29 until Saturday August 2, 2025 to get your FREE £2 William Hill shop bet PLUS incredible pullouts every day from the racing team you trust.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Celebrate Glorious Goodwood with your Mirror: packed pullouts and great reader offers
Don't miss the summer's racing extravaganza with your favourite racing paper from Tuesday 29 July until Saturday 2 August Glorious Goodwood is one of the undisputed highlights in the summer racing calendar, set within one of the world's most picturesque racecourses on the estate of the Duke of Richmond in a relaxed yet formal atmosphere. Pick up your paper every day of the festival from Tuesday July 29 until Saturday August 2, we're bringing you packed 12 page pullouts with all the runners, riders and punter insights you love, as well as great reader offers every day. Over five days from July 29 to August 2 the meeting, sponsored by Qatar, offers top quality racing with three notable feature events, the Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Cup and Nassau Stakes. The £1 million Sussex Stakes is the standout contest as it offers a generational clash between the three-year-olds from the Classic division and the best older horses at the one mile winners include the great Frankel, the only horse to win it twice, Kingman and Baaeed, while last year's victor Notable Speech may return to defend his crown against the new star Field Of Gold. The £500,000 Goodwood Cup, the highlight of day one, is a contest over two miles for the best stayers, while the £600,000 Nassau Stakes tests the best females over a mile and a quarter. The top race for sprinters is the King George Stakes while the major handicap of the week is the Coral Stewards Cup, on Saturday, always one of the biggest betting races of the year. So don't miss out this Glorious Goodwood - pick up your paper from Tuesday July 29 until Saturday August 2, 2025 to get your fantastic reader offers PLUS incredible pullouts every day from the racing team you trust.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
FREE £2 William Hill shop bets every day of Glorious Goodwood with your Daily Record
Don't miss all the information you need about the iconic festival PLUS a free shop bet from racing favourite William Hill Glorious Goodwood is one of the undisputed highlights in the summer racing calendar, set within one of the world's most picturesque racecourses on the estate of the Duke of Richmond in a relaxed yet formal atmosphere. Pick up your paper every day of the festival from Tuesday July 29 until Saturday August 2, we're bringing you the punter insights you love, as well as a FREE shop bet from William Hill every day. Over five days from July 29 to August 2 the meeting, sponsored by Qatar, offers top quality racing with three notable feature events, the Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Cup and Nassau £1 million Sussex Stakes is the standout contest as it offers a generational clash between the three-year-olds from the Classic division and the best older horses at the one mile winners include the great Frankel, the only horse to win it twice, Kingman and Baaeed, while last year's victor Notable Speech may return to defend his crown against the new star Field Of Gold. The £500,000 Goodwood Cup, the highlight of day one, is a contest over two miles for the best stayers, while the £600,000 Nassau Stakes tests the best females over a mile and a quarter. The top race for sprinters is the King George Stakes while the major handicap of the week is the Coral Stewards Cup, on Saturday, always one of the biggest betting races of the year. So don't miss out this Glorious Goodwood - pick up your paper from Tuesday July 29 until Saturday August 2, 2025 to get your FREE £2 William Hill shop bet PLUS incredible racing content every day from the team you trust. Want updates on the go? Join our free newsletter for Record racing fans - Punters Club! Get insights and tips from Sign up here. The Punters Club offers members news, tips and analysis from our leading writers during Goodwood and beyond, PLUS members will also get access to some fantastic free ticket offers and exclusive competitions. You'll get all this delivered straight to your email inbox – and best of all our club is FREE!
