Stewards' Cup Big Race Verdict: Back Soldier's Tree for Glorious Goodwood joy at 10/1

Six places on offer for the Stewards' Cup

The best punting race of the day is the Coral Stewards' Cup by a long chalk - although with 28 runners it's not exactly a gimme with the Betfair Sportsbook at 7/18.00 the field. There are, however, six places up for grabs.

Two Tribes won the race last year, when the ground was good to soft, and if you think he can do it again, a price of 8/19.00 is what you'll be getting at the time of writing on Friday. Twelve months ago he scored off 95, and off a 7lb higher mark now of 102, it's tougher.

8 (13)

Two Tribes

• J: David Egan
• T: Richard Spencer
• F: 5-1200072

• SBK 7/1
• EXC 9.8

His trainer Richard Spencer, who is well supported by owner Phil Cunningham, is triple-handed with Run Boy Run and Candy at 33/134.00 and 22/123.00. Run Boy Run was fourth 12 months ago and the Spencer/Cunningham axis had three in the first five.

Impact of the draw

Last year those blessed with a high number position on the stands' side held a distinct advantage. The first six were housed all in double figures with draws 25, 21 first and second, while even 23 got sixth spot.

This week with the sprint handicaps over 5f and 6f (excluding Friday), wins have come from 2, 15, 19 and 7. French Affair's big field handicap win over 6f highlighted the stands' side advantage with the first five home 15, 27, 16, 23 and 26.

Far Above Dream, the 7/18.00 favourite, is in 23 for Saturday and supporters have to be happy with that. Two Tribes in 13 and Soldier's Tree in 20 complete the top three on the Sportsbook.

Is there a well handicapped runner in a punting minefield?

Trying to find something well handicapped with 28 runners and the complex puzzle of the draw and a poor record for three-year-olds isn't my idea of punting nirvana. The last three-year-old to scoop the pot was the rapid Khaadem in 2019, but in 25 years, only three from the age bracket have won.

Far Enough Dream was fourth in the Wokingham from 99 and remains off the mark. Hammer The Hammer, a very fast horse who will love this most paciest of 5f, is finally under 100 now from a mark of 99 and Toby Moore can claim five.

Annaf the popular veteran started the year on 105 and races from 100 on Saturday.

Pace Map with draw positions

FRONT RUNNERS: Get It (27), Fandom (22), Hammer The Hammer (16), Berkshire Whisper? (19), Candy (1), Dark Thirty (8), Gold Star Hero (4), Toca Madera (26).

PROMINENT: Soldier's Tree (20), Northern Champion (9), Sondad (21), Run Boy Run (24), Garfield Shadow (28), Stratusnine (9), Annaf (6), Invictus Gold (3), Fandom (22), Realign (18), Flash Harry (14), Berkshire Whisper (19), Ferrous (12), King Of Light (7), Evening Saigon (10).

MID-DIVISION: West Acre (17), Sondad (21), Two Tribes (13), Far Above Dream (23), King Of Light (7).

HOLD-UP: Dubai Bling (2), Mitbaahy (25), West Acre (17), Completely Random (11), Tuco Salamanca (15), Annaf (6), Far Above Dream (23), Realign (18),

Trainer form (prior to Friday)

James Owen - 18-50 at 36% last two weeks and 1-15 at Goodwood this term.

Richard Spencer - 2-21 at 10% last two weeks and 1-12 at Goodwood this term.

Hugo Palmer - 4-29 at 14% last two weeks.

Richard Hannon - 12-59 at 20% last two weeks and 8-28 at 29% at Goodwood this term.

Clive Cox - 3-27 at 11% last two weeks.

William Haggas - 8-43 at 19& last two weeks and 5-17 at 29% at Goodwood this term.

Kevin Ryan - 0-22 last two weeks.

Andrew Balding - 8-45 at 18% last two weeks and 3-24 at 13% at Goodwood this term.

Wokingham form is strong for Stewards' Cup

Completely Random, Soldier's Tree, Far Above Dream and Mitbaahy were second, third, fourth and fifth respectively in the Wokingham. My preference from that race is for Soldier's Tree who, at 10/111.00, still looks a good each-way punt.

He's often keen in his races but he chased Hammer The Hammer at Royal Ascot down the centre of the track and that seemed to help a lot, as last time in a Group 3 in a small field he overraced yet again. Soldier's Tree was conceding weight to Completely Random and Far Above Dream and has to again here from 108, so he'll need to produce a Hoof It like performance.

West Acre has a good spot in 17 and at 20/121.00 this sort of helter-skelter speed burn-up might suit his style. With the blinkers set to go on, he comes into the race very fresh having last raced in January in Meydan.

He has smart All-Weather form and was rated 110 in 2025. Now from 104, with a good draw, I like his chances each-way.

Get It is another on my list purely as a front-runner from 27 and as a former Wokingham winner in 2025 is a 16/117.00 shot. But he has a long absence of 314 days and will take a mighty effort to win first time off the shelf for the year.

Clive Cox is a little quiet in terms of stable form, but Flash Harry did win a course and distance handicap last summer on fast ground from 95 and has a double figure draw.

Alan Dudman's Stewards' Cup 1-2-3-4

1) Soldier's Tree

2) West Acre

3) Flash Harry

4) Get It

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