6f Coral Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+)
Dark Trooper ran a huge race in the Wokingham and has been popular for this ever since. He was raised 3lbs for that performance and does look like a horse with Group-class credentials. Purosangue is another that has mixed it at a higher-level and has his first start in handicap company here as a three-year-old, he looks potentially well-handicapped and can certainly go quite close.
But with the rattling fast-ground, I expect there to be a ferocious gallop in the race and that means it should set up for closers. Arguably two of the best closers in this context are the seasoned Summerghand, now running at the ripe old age of 10, and ALBASHEER.
The latter of which has been in dynamite form for Archie Watson having won last time out and is now off a 1lb lower mark than when winning earlier in the season at Newcastle. Albasheer went close in big-field handicaps last season but got no run in the Wokingham this year. He is drawn around plenty of pace, but critically should be able to get a run off the rail here in stall 21, and whilst he isn’t necessarily a creative pick, he should have his perfect conditions on Saturday although I acknowledge that carrying a penalty isn’t ideal.
So many others have a sniff in this contest, but it might also just be worth taking a chance on COVER UP at huge odds of 25/1. John Gosden has been in fine form this week with three winners already and this Godolphin colt is too soon to write-off as a major player in this type of sprint company. Cover Up put in a couple of scintillating performances on the all-weather earlier this season before two uninspiring looking runs on his last two starts. The first of which, when favourite, saw him pull extremely hard from the stalls blowing his chances whereas last time out in the Wokingham, he started very slowly from the stalls after a three month break although to his credit managed to come from last to be better than midfield at the finish without really getting fully stretched out.
Cover Up wasn’t really seen to best effect at Ascot and he may do much better over a sharper 6f trip at Goodwood. He is drawn around plenty of pace and if he breaks well, I can see him outrunning his odds of 25/1 as he might just still be learning his trade with only 10 career starts under his belt.
1pt each-way Albasheer @9/1, 15:35 Goodwood, Saturday (1-8 places, 1/5 odds with Skybet)
1pt each-way Cover Up @25/1, 15:35 Goodwood, Saturday (1-8 places, 1/5 odds with Skybet)