A shoo-in for Stoute? Key pointers and trainers' views

Qatar Summer Handicap | 1m6f | 3yo+ | ITV/RUK

Is this Sir Michael Stoute's for the taking?

Sir Michael Stoute would appear to have this race by the scruff of the neck as he is due to saddle the top three in the betting: Shraaoh, Mainstream and Platitude.

All well-bred and representing powerhouse owners, Stoute’s trio is headed by Shraaoh, whose sire Sea The Stars has been responsible for Goodwood Cup winner Stradivarius and Lillie Langtry heroine Endless Time already this week.

All three will need to step forward on what they have achieved so far this season, but each has excellent credentials.

Rain no pain for Saigon City

Connections of Saigon City have had to be patient during the early part of the summer when the sun shone and dried up the ground, preventing his participation.

However, the rain has arrived (in case you hadn't noticed) and underfoot conditions are now exactly what the progressive five-year-old wants.

Trainer Declan Carroll is enjoying an excellent season, and with star juvenile Santry just missing out on landing the stable a win at Royal Ascot, perhaps Saigon City can provide them with a major festival success in this race instead?

Can Carntop show his true worth?

If this race was to be decided on raw ability alone then Carntop would win it, pure and simple.

Except when it comes to Carntop it has not been simple. The four-year-old has disappointed more often than he has delivered, but the quirky nature of the course at Goodwood and a new jockey in Harry Bentley could help him put his best foot forward.What they say

Mark Johnston, trainer of Soldier In Action and Jaameh
Soldier In Action won at the course last year and after his run at Haydock we’re very hopeful. We’ve always had this race in mind and it should be ideal. Jaameh has won on heavy and the ground was part of the reason for declaring him. He was very disappointing last time and we had some doubts about running but the ground swung it and hopefully conditions will suit him perfectly.

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Arch Villain
He’s in really good form and always runs well fresh. My concern would be the ground for him.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Carntop
He’s run well in the hood and we think it’s the right time to take it off. The fact he’s shown his best form around Epsom and Lingfield gives you hope about his chances. His draw is a problem though.

Jim Goldie, trainer of Sir Chauvelin
He probably doesn’t want ground quite as soft as it is, but he’s by Authorized so he’ll be okay. He’ll stay and he’s in as good as form as any coming into the race. He’s unbeaten at Hamilton and I’ve always thought of Goodwood as the Hamilton of England!

Declan Carroll, trainer of Saigon City
We’ve been waiting for this sort of ground with him and it’s now come right. He’s in great form and I’m looking forward to running him as he did well earlier in the year.

Roger Charlton, trainer of Blakeney Point
He was unlucky not to be closer in the Old Newton Cup last time and he wouldn’t want the ground to be too soft. We’ll monitor it to see how it is before making a final decision to run. I think the trip will be just what he wants.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Cleonte
Both of his runs have been on fast ground so far and he'll prefer these conditions much more. He's a lazy horse at home so we've put the cheek pieces on and they seem to have had a positive effect. On his French form he'd have a solid chance.

Richard Hughes, trainer of Getback In Paris
He has won over course and distance and in heavy ground when he was trained in France. I declared him once or twice this year but took him out on quick ground so we’ve been minding him. He’ll love the ground and he stays well. He ticked all the boxes in Ascot and the horse that beat him, Mount Moriah, is entered in a Group 3 while we were giving him a stone.

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