Goodwood Tips: Stewards’ Cup runners and riders – Your pinstickers’ guide to today’s big handicap

THE bookies will have a Mer in the Stewards’ Cup. MERAAS is a fast-improving sprinter who looked a good prospect when scooting in at Hamilton last time. There’s more to come from Mark Johnston’s flyer. Nahaarr has been well backed after his blistering success at Newbury 13 days ago. He has flourished since dropping to […]

THE bookies will have a Mer in the Stewards’ Cup.

MERAAS is a fast-improving sprinter who looked a good prospect when scooting in at Hamilton last time. There’s more to come from Mark Johnston’s flyer.

Nahaarr has been well backed after his blistering success at Newbury 13 days ago. He has flourished since dropping to this trip. Watan chased him home there and isn’t out of this.

Swindler is hard to get in the stalls but he has a world of talent when he wants to show it.

Lexington Dash is another with more to offer after an unlucky fourth at Newmarket last time.

SUMMERGHAND 3

SUMMER lovin. Was fourth in this last year and has done well this season including when beaten in a photo for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. Followed up with a Pontefract win before not handling a Group 3 latest. Loves this trip, handles any ground and will run well despite big weight.

GULLIVER 3

GULL flies. Keeps on delivering at the age of six and ran a cracker when fourth in the Wokingham despite a slow start. Followed up with a speed second at The Curragh last time and has several big-field wins under his belt. Was sixth last year and one of many with place claims.

TINTO 2

TIN tack. Likes this trip and came back from break with Newmarket handicap win in June. Didn’t fire in a Group 3 last time and struggled in Stewards’ Sprint last year.

DANZENO 2

DAN dare you. Veteran who went close at York last time off this mark and goes on any ground. Was seventh in sole crack at this race back in 2017 and looks booked for similar again.

HEY JONESY 3

HEY ho. Ended three-year losing run by winning the Wokingham at Royal Ascot despite veering late on. A 5lb rise for that looks fair and he hasn’t had that many runs for a sprinter of his age. Not certain he’ll run up to that level again but big chance if he does.

WATAN 4

TAN can. Back from a year off to run a good second behind favourite Nahaarr at Newbury 13 days ago having held his own at Group 1 level before the break. Won his maiden here so track suits and not dismissed.

ANGEL ALEXANDER 3

ANGEL may fly. Last win came in the big-field Ayr Gold Cup last year and has been out of sorts since. Will have needed his comeback when hammered in the Wokingham and should do better for it. First-time visor could help too.

NAHAARR 4

HAARR a star. Impressive winner at Newbury last time when showing lots of pace as he did when third in the Silver Wokingham. Has gone up 8lb for that success but he could be better than a handicapper and must go close.

MR LUPTON 2

TON of trouble. Won a Group 2 at The Curragh last season over this trip but hasn’t matched that form since. Never got going in the Wokingham but has had a little nudge down the weights since. Getting on a bit now but best form would give him a chance.

MERAAS 5

MER-fect. Improver who has won three of his past four including in a sharp time at Hamilton last time. Relishes this trip and hasn’t been clobbered by the handicapper for that latest success. Has much more to come and low draw could be ideal.

SILENT ECHO 3

SILENT a noise. Was hampered a couple of times when a well-backed eighth in this two years ago and came back this season with a game win at Newmarket. Was then fifth in the Wokingham before a fair fourth at Newbury. Been given a chance by the handicapper.

ALJADY 2

AL pass. Going well in lesser races with two solid wins this season at Haydock and Windsor last time. Had plenty in hand there so deserves this hike in grade but needs to improve against these rivals.

BARBILL 3

HIT the Bar. Came back from nine months off to score well on fast ground at Haydock last time. Likes this trip and a 5lb rise for that looks fair. Has a big-field win on his CV and one of many with place claims.

SWINDLER 4

SWIN with a chance. Quirky but talented speedster who gets wound up at the start and wouldn’t go in the stalls at Royal Ascot. Has landed a couple of good wins at Ascot and looked in need of his comeback at HQ. Likes this trip and ground will suit. If he races he won’t be far away.

CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD 3

TOP Man. Won on debut here in 2018 and landed his first successes since then in recent weeks at Windsor and Newmarket. Is creeping up the weights but his liking for this course and distance is a plus.

STONE OF DESTINY 2

STONE broke. Often runs well but rarely wins as when a good sixth in the Wokingham. Below that when beaten at Ascot last time dropped back to 5f. Prefers this trip but needs more.

LOUIE DE PALMA 2

CHEWIE Louie. Has placed form in some big-field sprints over this trip but missed the kick at Windsor last time which could be fatal here given his best form has come from the front.

LEXINGTON DASH 4

LOT of Dash. Lightly-raced sprinter who has landed a couple of small-field wins over this trip at Newmarket. Ground was a bit soft for him when fourth there last time and he’ll be happier today under a good 3lb claimer.

KIMIFIVE 3

FIVE alive. Didn’t get the breaks when sixth in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last time and has winning form here. May be better over 7f but has top claimer Cieren Fallon on board which boosts his chances.

OPEN WIDE 2

OPEN shut. Career-best effort when second in this last year and has run a couple of good races since but not this season including when below par at Windsor latest. Now 3lb lower than 12 months ago which gives him a squeak.

VENTUROUS 1

VENT dent. Has plenty of miles on the clock and has done most of his winning on the all-weather. Is better suited by the minimum trip and hard to fancy.

TERUNTUM STAR 1

STAR on wane. Best run for a while when fifth at York last time but best form has come with some cut and he doesn’t look up to this level.

BRIAN THE SNAIL 1

SNAIL too slow. Inconsistent but has been going well in lesser levels this season with a Newcastle win and Ripon third. This is a much tougher ask and he’s up the weights.

ATALANTA’S BOY 3

AT it. Has good form at lower levels including when winning here on both visits. Was just collared at Windsor last time after winning at Chelmsford. This is his toughest race so far but course record a plus.

WEDDING DATE 3

MAKE a Date. Wins her share but the pick of her form has come over 5f. Fair effort at Ascot last time when not getting the clearest of runs. Place claims if lasting home.

PA:Press Association

CONCIERGE 1

CON trick. Won on the all-weather over this trip last year but has not sparked this season and this looks too much.

GEORGE BOWEN 2

BOW won’t go. Losing run getting longer and was very slow out of the stalls at York last time. Showed promise at Pontefract before that but others preferred.

I AM A DREAMER 2

DREAM on. Has done all his winning in lesser races and didn’t get going at Ascot last time. Back over his best trip but should come up short.