Trawlerman will attempt to turn the tables on Scandinavia when the pair renew their rivalry in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup at 3.35pm today.
The two stayers produced a thrilling finish in the Ascot Gold Cup, with Scandinavia narrowly coming out.
Today offers Trawlerman a real chance of revenge. The course should suit his front-running style, while John and Thady Gosden’s stable has been in excellent form. However, Scandinavia won this race last season and has a strong chance of retaining his title.
Six other runners complete the Group 1 field, including last year’s runner-up Illinois, Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb and the improving Lazy Griff.
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1. Amiloc 10/1
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Hector Crouch
Amiloc has a perfect record at Goodwood, having won on both previous visits to the course. Those victories came at the start of last season before he went on to score at Royal Ascot.
He has not won in four starts since, although his latest run in the Hardwicke Stakes was more encouraging. He was positioned well off the pace before finishing strongly.
Ralph Beckett believes Goodwood suits Amiloc and was pleased with how he completed his race at Ascot. However, this will be his first attempt at two miles.
2. French Master 40/1
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
Jockey: James Doyle
French Master returned to something close to his best when narrowly beaten by Illinois in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He now drops in distance and moves into Group 1 company. He was also well beaten in last year’s Goodwood Cup, which appeared to be a weaker race than this renewal.
Wathnan Racing representative Richard Brown was pleased with his Ascot performance but accepts that French Master faces a major task. Connections will hope he can stay on past some tired runners, but a place would be a surprise.
3. Illinois 40/1
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Sean Levey
Illinois started as favourite for last year’s Goodwood Cup but finished second behind his stablemate Scandinavia.
Aidan O’Brien regards Illinois as an honest stayer and expects another solid performance.
4. Lazy Griff 16/1
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Lazy Griff won a Group 3 as a juvenile before injury ended his season early last year. He has always looked suited to staying races and confirmed that promise by winning over two miles at Sandown this month. He has form to find with the leading pair, but connections believe he can run well if the ground is not too quick.
5. Rahiebb 12/1
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Ray Dawson
The 2025 St Leger runner-up began this season by winning the Yorkshire Cup before taking his chance in the Ascot Gold Cup. However, he weakened badly in the Ascot straight, eventually finishing 24 lengths behind Scandinavia.
Connections believe he failed to stay the two-and-a-half-mile distance. Roger Varian remains confident that two miles is within his range and does not expect the Goodwood course to be a problem.
If the Ascot defeat was caused by the distance, Rahiebb could be involved in the places.
6. Scandinavia 6/5
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Scandinavia is the horse Trawlerman must beat.
He won this race last season before confirming his position as the leading stayer with victory in the Ascot Gold Cup. He showed both stamina and determination to get the better of Trawlerman following a fierce contest.
Aidan O’Brien reports that everything has gone smoothly since Ascot.
He is already proven at Goodwood and may not have reached his peak. Even so, his advantage over Trawlerman may be smaller this time.
7. Trawlerman 7/4
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
Jockey: William Buick
Trawlerman came agonisingly close to winning the Ascot Gold Cup, only to be denied by the younger Scandinavia.
There are good reasons to believe he can reverse that result. Goodwood should also suit his front-running style, and the shorter two-mile distance may play to his strengths.
The John and Thady Gosden stable is in excellent form, adding further weight to his claims.
The key question is whether Trawlerman’s experience and the more favourable race conditions can make up for Scandinavia’s younger legs. If William Buick can control the pace from the front, Trawlerman could be very difficult to pass.
8. Miss Alpilles 100/1
Trainer: Ed Walker
Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Miss Alpilles was not disgraced when finishing fifth in the Ascot Gold Cup.
She is likely to be held up before attempting to pass tiring runners. That could prove useful if Trawlerman, Scandinavia and the other prominent racers set a strong pace.
Trainer Ed Walker expressed surprised that she has been overlooked in the betting and reports that she is in very good form.
Can Trawlerman Turn the Tables?
Scandinavia deserves respect after winning last year’s Goodwood Cup and beating Trawlerman at Royal Ascot. However, the conditions of their latest meeting offer Trawlerman a real chance to reverse the result.
The Ascot Gold Cup was run over two and a half miles, and Trawlerman had to give his rival 1lb. At Goodwood, the distance drops to two miles and the pair meet at level weights. Both changes can work in Trawlerman’s favour.
Goodwood may also prove a better course for his running style. Trawlerman is at his best when racing prominently and making full use of his stamina. William Buick could send him forward, control the pace and force Scandinavia to catch him.
Scandinavia may have youth on his side, but he also had to work extremely hard for his Ascot victory. Trawlerman lost little in defeat that day and now meets his rival under conditions which may suit him better.
This looks like the right time and place for Trawlerman to gain his revenge.
Prediction:
1. Trawlerman
2. Scandinavia
3. Lazy Griff
Odds correct at the time of writing and may change. Please check with the bookmaker before placing a bet. Please gamble responsibly.
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