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| Staff Writer |
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The prestigious Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup is set for an exciting showdown as the Gosden stable prepares a formidable challenge against reigning Gold Cup champion Kyprios. John and Thady Gosden have strategically selected Sweet William and Gregory to lead their charge, both horses having previously tasted victory at Goodwood.
Sweet William, coming off a solid third-place finish behind Kyprios at Ascot, has consistently proven his mettle in staying races. Gregory, despite a seventh-place finish in the grueling two-and-a-half-mile Gold Cup, is poised for a stronger showing over the shorter Goodwood distance.
While Gold Cup runner-up Trawlerman sits this one out, the Clarehaven team exudes confidence in their chosen pair. The anticipated dry weather could play into their hands, potentially providing the ideal racing surface on the Sussex Downs.
The Gosdens are no strangers to success in this race, having dominated it for four consecutive years with the legendary Stradivarius from 2017 to 2020. Now, they aim to reclaim their crown with a new generation of talented stayers.
“Gregory and Sweet William have both done well since Ascot,” said Thady Gosden.
“They’ve obviously freshened up since then and they’ve been busy in their work at home. We’re hoping for a good run.
“Gregory enjoys top of the ground and Sweet William ran a great race to be third in the Gold Cup on good to firm, so with the forecast looking how it is, the ground shouldn’t pose any issues at all.”
French trainer Jerome Reynier is set to unleash his versatile contender Facteur Cheval once more on British soil, as the 5YO gelding prepares for a redemptive run in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
Last year's runner-up performance in this prestigious race, where Facteur Cheval finished behind Aidan O'Brien's formidable Paddington on soft ground, has only whetted Reynier's appetite for success.
The gelding's prowess on varying surfaces was further exemplified by his triumph in the Dubai Turf at Meydan this March, where he clinched a well-deserved Group One victory on good going.
Despite a setback in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, where an unfortunate combination of a lost shoe and unfavourable track position led to a sixth-place finish, Reynier remains undeterred.
The trainer is eager to put that performance behind them and is optimistic about Facteur Cheval's chances to showcase his true potential on the Sussex Downs.
With a proven track record in top-tier races across different conditions, Facteur Cheval's return to Goodwood promises an intriguing storyline in this year's Sussex Stakes. Reynier's confidence in his charge's ability to bounce back adds an extra layer of excitement to what is shaping up to be a compelling contest.
“He’s in good shape. He came back quite tired after Royal Ascot, where he raced without a shoe on ground that was too quick,” he said.
“He was not on the right side of the track and it was a race to forget about in the end.
“Last year, he proved he was competitive at the highest level at Meydan and Goodwood as well.
“I don’t know how the track will be this year, probably much faster than the really deep surface against Paddington, but at Ascot it was not so much the ground as the lost shoes and the tactics of the race.
“I am very happy with him now, we are looking forward to coming back.”
Facteur Cheval is among the eight confirmations for the feature race on day two of Goodwood. Richard Hannon’s Rosallion is set for a rematch with Aidan O’Brien’s Henry Longfellow, following their respective first and second finishes in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien has also included Mountain Bear and River Tiber in the lineup, while Charlie Appleby hopes his 2000 Guineas hero, Notable Speech, can redeem himself after a disappointing run behind Rosallion and Henry Longfellow at the Royal meeting.
The field is rounded out by the William Haggas-trained Maljoom and Sonny Liston from Ralph Beckett’s yard.