For any Stewards’ Cup the discussion must start with the draw which, judging by the evidence of this week’s action, will favour those drawn low to middle, towards the far side. Unfortunately the advantage seemed to be so clear on Friday that most runners will probably head that way today and get in each other’s way but it is to be hoped that Orion’s Bow (3.45) can pick his way through from stall 12.
A brother to two mares who were nearly top-class at a mile, this chestnut achieved nothing at that distance for John Gosden early in his career. Only since joining Dandy Nicholls and being converted into a sprinter has he sprouted wings, winning his last five.
His latest outing, in the hottest race he has been part of, produced what was easily a career best as he travelled powerfully and bolted up, three lengths clear of Hoof It. He does not need the ground to be soft, as it was that day, and a 6lb penalty is not going to stop him if he remains in similar heart.
Dancing Star shows enormous promise but this is asking a lot of a three-year-old filly. The well-bred Hold Tight could be a lively outsider at 28-1, returning to a sprint distance for the first time since his last win, with the hood taken off and James McDonald aboard.
2.00 Goodwood A fine fifth after trouble in running over a longer trip at Ascot last Saturday, Nuno Tristan is interesting from a good draw. The talented claimer Adam McNamara returns to the saddle.
2.15 Newmarket This is a step down in class for Lady Of Camelot, who was beaten less than two lengths in a Group Two at Haydock last time. This return to a faster surface could help.
2.35 Goodwood Stepping up to a fast-ground mile and a half should be just the ticket for Move Up, a strong-finishing winner at Ascot last time on his first outing since October. White Shaheen, another likely stayer, may go well at a big price.
2.50 Newmarket The trainer Michael Bell has had a fine week and Parsnip can round it off. A half-sister to the classy Kodi Bear, she beat a big field convincingly on her debut and looks fairly treated.
3.10 Goodwood No one needs to be told that Minding ought to be up to winning this Nassau Stakes, which has attracted a disappointingly uncompetitive field. But there is untapped potential in Queen’s Trust, a 20-1 shot who could well outrun those odds, having had no luck in her two starts this year. That was especially true when she rocketed into fourth from an impossible position in the Ribblesdale. It is possible that her jockey, James McDonald, might try to nick this from the front.
