STEWARDS’ CUP
Andy Newton puts the Goodwood sprint under the microscope
There are plenty of top-notch races to look forward to at the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting at the end of the month (July 27-31), and one of those is the Stewards’ Cup.
Run over 6f and staged on the final day of the meeting, this handicap is always a well-contested betting event that the bookmakers love.
We can expect another big field of runners chasing the £46k first prize – while we often get horses that are in between Handicap and Listed company eyeing up the contest.
Twelve months ago, the David O’Meara-trained Summerghand was a gutsy head winner of the race under top-weight but having progressed well this season into Group company we’ll have to see if he gets into the race.
Let’s take a look at some of the main trends...
Trip – Being run over 6f, it’s no real shock that ALL of the last 18 winners had previously won over 6f before.
This trend is unlikely to knock many horses out, but you might get the odd runner that is stepping up from 5f and yet to win over the Stewards’ Cup distance.
Age – In short, make horses aged 6 or younger your cut-off point. In the last 18 runnings we’ve had 17 horses aged between 3-6 years-old, while since 1978 the race has produced only two winners aged 7 or older (1995 and 2017). We can take this age stat a bit further by knowing 11 of the last 18 winners were aged 4 or 5, but it’s also worth noting that three of the last 6 winners were aged 3.
Wins/Form – 17 of the last 18 winners had at least 3 previous career wins to their name. But with the same number of winners also having had at least three runs that current season, this is another thing to look for.
Recent Runs – Note horses that ran at Ascot, York or Newmarket last time out as 12 of the last 18 winners took in races at one of those venues prior to coming to Goodwood.
Favourites – Considering the competitive nature of the race, it’s actually been a good contest for the market leaders in recent years. We’ve had 11 of the last 18 favourites placed, while 33% of the last 18 renewals have also been won by the jolly, including three of the last 6.
Track Form – Goodwood is a track not every horse takes too, so looking for past form and runs at the course is another plus with 10 of the last 18 winners of this race having done just that.
Weight – Summerghand landed the 2020 race with the top weight, 9st 10lbs, but 10 of the last 18 winners have had 9st 1lb or less in weight. That said, a word of caution is attached to the weight trend at the moment as it could be taking a turn the other way – the last four winners have carried 9st 5lbs or more.
Draw – Another decent trend to have onside as 12 of the last 16 runnings (75%) have gone to horses from a double-figure draw. If you feel this stat will continue, then this will instantly put a line through nine runners!
Stables – Being such a competitive handicap, it’s no real surprise a stable hasn’t dominated this race in recent times. The William Haggas yard do have wins in 2008 and 2013, the Roger Charlton camp have successes in 2003 and 2009 and more recently the Charles Hills team have successes in 2015 and 2019 which make this trio all worthy of respect should they have runners.
Stewards’ Cup Recent Winners
2020 – Summerghand (22/1) 2019 – Khaadem (4/1 fav)
2018 – Gifted Master (20/1)
2017 – Lancelot Du Lac (25/1) 2016 – Dancing Star (9/2 fav) 2015 - Magical Memory (6/1 fav) 2014 – Intrinsic (6/1)
2013 – Rex Imperator (12/1)
2012 – Hawkeyethenoo (9/1) 2011 - Hoof It (13/2 jfav)
2010 - Evens and Odds (20/1) 2009 - Genki (14/1)
2008 - Conquest (40/1)
2007 - Zidane (6/1 fav)
2006 - Borderlescott (10/1) 2005 - Gift Horse (9/2)
2004 - Pivotal Point (7/1 cfav) 2003 - Patavellian (4/1)
2002 - Bond Boy (14/1)
Stewards’ Cup Trends
18/18 – Had won over 6f before
17/18 – Aged 6 or younger
17/18 – Had at least 3 previous career wins to their name
17/18 – Had 3 or more previous runs that season
12/18 – Raced at Ascot, York or New3/18 market last time out
11/18 – Aged either 4 or 5 years-old 11/18 – Placed favourites (top 4)
10/18 – Carried 9-1 or less
10/18 – Raced at Goodwood before 9/18 – Placed 1st or 2nd last time out 6/18 – Favourites (1 joint, 1 co) (3 of the last 6) – Winning 3 year-olds
2/18 – Trained by Roger Charlton 2/18 – Trained by Charles Hills
2/18 – Trained by William Haggas 12 of the last 16 winners came from a double-figure draw
The average winning SP in the last 19 runnings is 12/1