No penalty kick in Goodwood history bid for Stradivarius v Santiago warns Gosden

John Gosden has acknowledged his superstar stayer Stradivarius faces a considerable challenge in trying to concede more than a stone to Queen's Vase and Irish Derby winner Santiago in Tuesday's Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.

Stradivarius, who will bid for a record-breaking fourth straight success in the Group 1 on day one of Glorious Goodwood, was promoted to his highest BHA rating of 125 after trouncing Nayef Road by ten lengths to land a third Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last month, but may need all of his new mark and more if he is to deny younger rival Santiago.

Before his Ascot romp, Stradivarius posted a respectable comeback third to subsequent Coral-Eclipse winner Ghaiyyath in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket, a run that Gosden reckons has set him up for another productive season.