Scandinavia still open to further progress

Glorious Goodwood is one of our biggest meetings of the summer and we’ve got the likes of Scandinavia, Gstaad and Diamond Necklace all set to line up through the week.

Goodwood: Race 2 | G2 Vintage Stakes

We run HAFFNER here. He’s a nice Justify colt who was second on debut and then won on the July course at Newmarket when stepped up to 1400m. He’s over the same trip here and I think Goodwood will suit.

This is a fair step up in grade, but the Godolphin horse, Al Hudaiba, has to carry a penalty for winning the Superlative Stakes, where he beat Abraham Lincoln, so that makes things a bit harder for him this time.

Pikachu was just behind him in third in that same race, so looks to have a chance again, while Undiscovered and Doctor’s Rascal come here unbeaten after nice wins in novice company. Ruler’s Control was last seen finishing fourth in the Windsor Castle, so isn’t out of this either.

Goodwood: Race 4 | G1 Goodwood Cup

SCANDINAVIA comes here off the back of winning the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

He didn’t look to have much to spare over Trawlerman that day, but he’s a four-year-old who’s still open to further progress. He also won this race last year, so we know the course and distance holds no fears.

Trawlerman’s first run of the year was in the Gold Cup, so there is a school of thought that he could improve for that race. He’s a very consistent, high-class horse and I’m sure we’ll have another good battle.

Those two look to have a bit of a gap on the field, though maybe Lazy Griff is the interesting one being slightly unexposed. French Master ran well enough in the Queen Alexandra behind Illinois, but still has plenty to find, while Rahiebb will need to be suited by the step back to 3200m to be a danger.

Goodwood: Race 6 | 2yo Maiden

SEVERN COUNCILS ran well on debut in a Listed race at Newbury and steps back down into maiden company. Hopefully that experience won’t be lost on him and he can build on it, but it’s a big field and it looks wide-open.