It's make or break time as Stewards' Cup brings curtain down

Having so long shared headline billing with the Nassau Stakes the Qatar Stewards' Cup this year hogs the limelight on the final day of Glorious Goodwood, starring on a card full of intrigue and bringing the curtain down on a meeting that has been laced with drama from the very first race.

With some of Britain's best known sprinters hurtling headlong down one of the fastest six-furlong courses anywhere, the Stewards' Cup rarely fails to provide an exciting spectacle.

But it is also a race that has been kind to favourite backers in recent years, with four market leaders obliging in the last ten years and six of the last ten winners being sent off at single-figure prices.

Roger Charlton has saddled three winners of the race, including Patavellian, who landed a good punt in 2003, and is responsible for one of this year's leading fancies in Projection, an up-and-coming four-year-old who led home the runners down the stands' side in the Wokingham but had to settle for third overall.

In a week of fluctuating fortunes for punters and bookmakers, and with the historic Stewards' Cup typically one of the biggest betting races of the year, the fate of Projection, and other market principals such as Growl and Danzeno, could make or break the meeting for many.

Punting pointers in the first

The betting frenzy is likely to step up a notch after the opening contest on the card, the Qatar Stewards' Sprint Handicap, a consolation race for those who failed to make the cut for the main event.

With most of the fancied horses in the Stewards' Cup drawn high, along the stands' rail, expect much chopping and changing of prices – and gnashing of teeth – should those bursting from low-numbered stalls come thundering home in front down the far side.

Playing best supporting role

Saturday's card has lost the Group 1 Nassau but gained the Group 3 Qatar Gordon Stakes. However, those fearing the change of schedule detracts from the quality on offer should be placated by the recent record of Gordon Stakes winners, with Ulysses and Highland Reel the last two names on the rich roll of honour, while it was in this race in 2009 that the brilliant Harbinger first stormed on to the Group-race scene.

Sir Michael Stoute has been the man to follow in the Gordon, saddling six winners this century, and if any horse from this year's race is to make the transition successfully to the highest level it is likely to be his Crystal Ocean, who has long been held in high regard and arguably shaped best when third to Permian in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

An ante-post Derby gamble, Crystal Ocean sidestepped Epsom having finished placed in the Dante, the form of which has since been boosted, and the manner in which he swooped into contention at Royal Ascot suggested there could yet be plenty of improvement to come as Stoute, in typically patient fashion, asks for more.

The Gordon Stakes may be a Group 3, but don't be surprised if Stoute again uses this as a springboard to the top level.

Bookmakers' pals

While the layers may be worried about Stoute's Crystal Ocean, who looks sure to be sent off a warm order, they will be pleased to see at least two of his runners in the 1m6f handicap.

Shraaoh has been a beaten favourite on four of his last five outings, including all three efforts since posting a cracking second at this meeting last year, while Mainstream, running in the colours of the Queen, tends to be well backed but find at least one too good.

Both have the ability to strike off their current rating, but then the same could have been said last time, the time before that and the time before that, all the while the bookmakers' satchels growing ever closer to overflowing with punters' cash.

Plenty to look forward to

Galway also continues apace, although an afternoon meeting following swiftly on the heels of Friday's evening fixture will surely see some racegoers fall by the wayside.

Those hardy enough to make it back to the track for day six of the week-long extravaganza are rewarded by a fascinating 2m7f handicap hurdle featuring popular old boy Hidden Cyclone and a clutch of unexposed types from leading yards.

It is yet another day to savour on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Read exclusive previews of Goodwood and Galway from 6pm tonight on racingpost.com