Ryan Moore and Boy In The Bar out to claim consolation in Stewards' Sprint

Qatar Stewards’ Sprint Handicap | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/RUK

PUNTING POINTERS

Mick Easterby, Clive Cox and Richard Fahey have won this race in the last ten years, and will be keen to do so again as it offers outstanding prize-money for the calibre of horse involved.

During that period there have been five winners drawn in single figures, four from middle berths, and only one from a high number.

However, not too much should be read into that as those drawn high have tended to fare well in recent renewals of the Stewards’ Cup.

Stewards' Sprint draw bias

Boy In The Bar, who will be partnered by Ryan Moore for the first time, races from stall 21, and appears to have the right qualities for a race of this nature.

A winner over course and distance last May, he competes off a 2lb lower mark this time and will be much more at home on the fast ground after sinking in the York mud last Saturday.

Trainer Ian Williams said: “He was a little disappointing at York last time but loves Goodwood and will appreciate the faster ground.”

Oeil De Tigre in career-best form

Tony Carroll has worked wonders with Oeil De Tigre this season and the seven-year-old, a three times winner at Goodwood so far in 2018, looks a must for the shortlist.

Particularly impressive when slamming Incentive by three and a half lengths over course and distance in June, Oeil De Tigre will be ridden by Sophie Ralston, who claims 7lb.

“He has good course form and Sophie gets on very well with him,” said Carroll.

“He probably could have done with a shower of rain, but he’ll run well. Oeil De Tigre is in great form and has improved all year. He really enjoys Goodwood.”

Three-year-old Militia worth second look

Militia, one of a quartet of three-year-olds in the race, gets in towards the bottom of the weights under a 6lb penalty for his victory at Ayr on Monday.

The Richard Fahey-trained colt remains relatively unexposed after just seven starts.

Fahey said: “I thought he did very well to win at Ayr. A drop of rain would help him but it doesn’t look like coming. As long as it’s not too quick I could see him running well.”

What the rest say

Marjorie Fife, trainer of Classic Seniority, My Amigo, Barracuda Boy and B Fifty Two
Classic Seniority is running out of his skin. He ran a nice race in the Stewards’ Cup last year and Martin Harley, who rode him for me just after I got him, is back in the saddle. Martin predicted he'd win a big handicap back then. My Amigo will go a good gallop, but I’d have preferred a drop of rain for him. Barracuda Boy is due to run at Musselburgh tonight [Friday]. We’ll make a decision on whether he goes down to Goodwood after that race. B Fifty Two has the ability to win this standing on his head. He won at Pontefract in the spring and then was hit by traffic at Catterick.

Simon Crisford, trainer of Maakaasib
He appears to have done well since his last race at Chelmsford. It’s very competitive, and I’m not sure about whether we’re on the right side or not in terms of the draw. Hopefully he’ll run a good race.

Clive Cox, trainer of Chagatai
He gave us some good results to begin with this season. He enjoys fast ground, and a middle draw is helpful.

Charlie Wallis, trainer of George Dryden and Zac Brown
George Dryden ran a great race at Newmarket last time. He should get the strong pace he needs. Zac Brown has won at Goodwood before so likes the track. He should like the ground and goes there competitively weighted, particularly when taking into account the 5lb claim of Gabriele Malune.

David Loughnane, trainer of Shepherd’s Purse
It’s a lovely race to be going for with that sort of prize-money [£75,000]. He's in very good order. He ideally wants five and a half furlongs, so I had a chat with Ben [Curtis], who has ridden him twice this year, and he said there'd be no better place for him than Goodwood. He’s got a lovely draw and won’t be far away.

Jason Kelly, assistant to David O’Meara, trainer of Aleef
He’s won at a similar track in Hamilton – they run downhill and then uphill there – so we think he should be suited by the course. We’re hoping he can run a good race.

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