Key views and trainer quotes as Khaadem seeks success in the Stewards' Cup

Unibet Stewards' Cup (Heritage Handicap) | 6f, 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Three-year-olds do not win this race often, just two this century in fact, but when they do they tend to be extremely good.

Dancing Star landed the race as a three-year-old in 2016 before going on to claim a Group 3 the following year, while 2015 winner Magical Memory proved to be even better than that.

Following his victory at Goodwood he went on to capture a Group 2 and be Group 1 placed for trainer Charlie Hills, who is back with another unexposed and potentially high-class three-year-old in Khaadem.

Owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, Khaadem was a Listed winner on his return this season before finishing down the field in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

He bounced back to be placed in a Group 3 at Newbury, and Hills said: "He ran a great race last time and we can put a line through his race at Ascot where he seemed to just run flat for some reason. He seems back to his best.

"He's a very nice horse for the future and hopefully will go on to better things after this."

Hills also runs Vanburgh, about whom he added: "He hasn't quite been seeing out the seven so we're coming back to six. I think he's a stakes horse so it makes sense to go for this race."

Flavius Titus (yellow): should be suited by conditionsCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Varian hoping to add another big sprint

Roger Varian has already bagged one of the major sprint handicaps this season when Cape Byron captured the Wokingham at Royal Ascot as the well-backed favourite.

With Cape Byron graduating to Group company, Flavius Titus has been tasked with lifting the Stewards’ Cup for Varian, jockey Andrea Atzeni and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

"Flavius Titus should be suited by the race," said Varian. "He’s effective at the trip and we think he can run well in a race like this. Whether he’s capable of winning a Stewards' Cup off 99 we don't know."

Flavius Titus is joined by his ever-reliable stablemate Spanish City, who was narrowly beaten in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last month.

Varian added: "Spanish City has got it to prove, but we think the blinkers will sharpen him up dropping down in trip. If he gets the breaks then I think he’s got a chance of being right there at the finish."

What they say

Robert Cowell, trainer of Raucous
It’s a bit disappointing he picked up a penalty for winning last time but you have to take your winning chances when you can. He’s creeping up the handicap all the time but he often runs well in these races and Cieren Fallon gets on very well with him, so hopefully he’ll run very well.

Ornate: winning the Dash at Epsom in JuneCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

David Griffiths, trainer of Ornate
He ran in the King George on Friday and we'll see how he comes out of it in the morning. We're happy with his draw and I'm quietly confident. He can be competitive off this mark.

Richard Fahey, trainer of George Bowen, Cosmic Law, Aljady and Growl
Aljady never travelled at all here on Wednesday, but on his best form he'd have a small chance. Slower ground would suit Cosmic Law better, but he's been performing well and we're happy with him at home. George Bowen has lost his way a little but can do that, and a big field here will really suit him. On a very good day Growl would run a very big race.

Jedd O'Keeffe, trainer of Air Raid
We honestly don’t know about the ground for him. He won on good ground at Hamilton and Jack Garritty said he skipped across the ground, so that's encouraging even if his best form is on soft. He's in good order in general and has been running very well this season.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Stone Of Destiny
He's had no luck all year. He was last out of the ballot for the draw on Thursday and we're not where we want to be, so he'll need everything to fall for him but there's a big race in him.

Jason Kelly, assistant to David O’Meara, trainer of Summerghand, Arecibo and Gulliver
Arecibo was a bit unlucky on his last start but is in good form and we're expecting another good performance. Gulliver lacked a bit of cover when he ran at York and we think Goodwood should suit him. Summerghand has been very consistent all season. The faster ground should suit him and he's sure to run another solid race.

Mark Johnston, trainer of Lake Volta
He's a winner over course and distance but this is obviously quite a different level and he'll need a lot of luck in running.

Justanotherbottle (yellow, far) just fails in last year's Stewards' CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Declan Carroll, trainer of Justanotherbottle
We've had this race in mind for him for a long time and he’s in really good order at the moment. He’s obviously got very good form at the track and horses who run well in this race often come back and do the same again, so we’re hopeful of him doing the same.

Karl Burke, trainer of True Mason
His last two starts have been in Group company and he is now taking on handicappers, which should suit and he has had a little wind operation since his last run. The issue is that he doesn't want very quick ground so I will have one eye on the weather.

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Open Wide
He has to be held up and the luck didn't favour him in this race last year. He's in good form and ran really well at Windsor on Monday. A good strong gallop will suit him.

Ian Williams, trainer of Sir Maximillian
He's a yard favourite, never lets us down and has ran some great races. Angus [Villiers] takes off 7lb and on his form in Dubai from two or three years ago it gives him a chance on paper. We're happy where we're drawn and a good pace will suit.

Joe Tuite, trainer of Kimifive
I would have loved to have had a different draw, but there's nothing we can do about that. He's in good form and the ground went against him last week so you can ignore that. He'll need to run a personal best but if they go a strong pace then hopefully he’ll finish well.

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