Glorious Goodwood / Andrew Hughes / 26 July 2008 /

Goodwood is a typical English course; quirky, eccentric, but endearingly entertaining. Not all the jockeys enjoy the sweeping turns and dramatic slopes, but what do they know? Andrew Hughes extols the virtues of this week's great meeting.

There are meetings outside West Sussex this week, but for punters and racing enthusiasts alike, there is only one show in town. Glorious Goodwood is perhaps the only major sporting event entitled to add an adjective to its name but it is an accurate one. For five days, racegoers and punters can marvel at the glorious views on offer from a picturesque perch atop the Sussex Downs. It even looks good on television.

Tuesday 29th July

Betfair sponsor the first three races on the card with the Betfair Cup the pick of them. This seven-furlong scramble attracts a mix of distance specialists and milers and not for the first time this week, the large fields will generate a few hard luck stories for punters and jockeys alike. The Gordon Stakes is a traditional St Leger trial and the up hill and down dale nature of the course makes it quite a demanding race, stamina wise. And the Molecomb Stakes features a large field of two year olds hurtling down one of the fastest sprint courses in the country. You need your wits about you betting wise to guess where the strongest pace will be. As always, there is plenty of decent action besides the main Group races with the Summer Stakes Handicap over fourteen furlongs, often seen as an Ebor trial and the highly competitive ten furlong Heritage Handicap that opens the meeting.

Wednesday 30th July

The Sussex Stakes sees the cream of the country's milers renew their rivalries in a perennially fascinating contest. Henrythenavigator is antepost favourite at [1.56] with Ravens Pass at [5.5] and the rest in double figures. Besides the main event, there is the Vintage Stakes which has a fantastic record of producing Guineas contenders and the Goodwood Stakes over two and a half miles, featuring a packed field of hardened stayers tackling one of the longest flat races on the calendar. And everyone in racing will celebrate the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Maiden Fillies Stakes, named in honour of the great man's ninetieth birthday.

Thursday 31st July

The Goodwood Cup over two miles is traditionally the second leg of the stayers 'Triple Crown' and a popular betting event, whilst the Lillie Langtry Stakes is a chance for the best staying fillies and mares to strut their stuff. You can also enjoy the exhilarating spectacle of the Audi Stakes as some of the best sprinters around charge down the lightning fast straight. And you shouldn't miss the fiercely competitive Summer Vase Handicap, one of the hottest three-year-old handicaps of the year.

Friday 1st August

The main betting heat of the day is the totesport Mile (formerly the Golden Mile) which attracts its share of rumours and public gambles. There is plenty of classy Group action as well with the Richmond Stakes for two year olds often repaying close study in the longer term, the newly promoted Glorious Stakes over twelve furlongs and the classy Oak Tree Stakes for fillies and mares over seven furlongs in which three year olds have a great record. Finally, the Sprint Stakes Handicap is a highly competitive consolation for those who miss the cut for the Stewards Cup.

Saturday 2nd August

The final day is dominated by the big showpiece events. The Stewards Cup is one of the hottest sprint handicaps in the world and an absolutely massive field will go to post for one of the betting races of the year. Equally exciting is the Nassau Stakes, a high calibre Group One for fillies and mares that goes from strength to strength and offers plenty of top class form for punters to peruse. There is also a competitive Listed mile race for three year olds and a useful seven furlong maiden for two year olds featuring some colts of real potential as well as a hell for leather six furlong nursery which is great fun.

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