Holly Doyle: Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia can emulate Kyprios with Goodwood Cup win | Racing news

Our ambassador previews all five days at Goodwood, starting with an impressive opening day on Tuesday featuring the Goodwood Cup.

Ready to retain the Scandinavia Cup crown

In the eagerly anticipated rematch Scandinavia and trawlerman Al Saqab Goodwood Cup (3.35) One race I’m particularly excited about is what promises to be an amazing week at Sussex Downs on the opening day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Aidan O’Brien’s reigning champion has improved from a prolonged duel with Godolphin’s admirable veteran in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and can confirm his superiority in the Group 1 showpiece in what again looks like a two-horse battle.

Four years younger and arguably better this year, he could emulate Aidan Kyprios by winning the race twice and gifting the Ballydoyle master his fourth Goodwood Cup in five years.

Roger Varian’s Yorkshire Cup winner Rahib appeals more than the rest but is against it. Not only did he survive the marathon trip to the Gold Cup but I can’t see him laying hands on the market leaders, even though he’s half a mile back.

Resurgent Kirat can be hard to peg back

if Kirat Gets the lead out HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes (3.00) At Goodwood I don’t really see any of his rivals bringing him back.

Ralph Beckett’s five-year-old, who caused a huge surprise in last year’s Sussex Stakes, wowed me from the front in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York last time when he wore a tongue tie for the first time.

He could be open to further improvement in a race that won’t take long to win this year and might get my vote over Andrew Balding’s Marvel Man.

Back from a long break he ran a smashing race in the Chipchase at Newcastle last month and should be sharper this time around. A Group 2 winner already, he needs to step up but looks a serious danger when Witness Stand, who won this race for me last year, is better than he showed at Chester and can hopefully make another bold bid.

Amo Colt can break his maid in vintage

Nominated pikachu As a horse to follow up after his big run at Newmarket so I’m not discounting him when he reappears in the Coral Vintage Stakes (2.25) at Goodwood.

Charlie Johnston’s Ammo Racing colt ran strongly through the line in the Superlative Stakes after hitting a flat spot and could break his lead at the fourth time of asking over this seven-furlong trip.

Potential favorite Al Hudayba is very talented as he showed when he beat Pikachu in that Group 2 but is also complicated, and it’s interesting that Charlie Appleby is reaching for the blinkers in an attempt to focus his mind.

A more reliable proposition might be Aidan O’Brien’s Hafner, a promising son of Justify who built on his Curragh debut with a first-up win at Newmarket earlier this month. It’s tough but he represents Team Ballydoyle for a good reason.

More to come from Burke’s course winner

Liberty LaneListed winner at Goodwood, dropped to a tempting mark that put him in danger for everyone in the opening Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap (1.50) at Goodwood.

Carl Burke’s 2024 Cambridgeshire winner has not missed the mark in almost two years and is well drawn under Clifford Lee in stall four. He hinted at a return to form at Sandown last time out in the first leg of the season, which has been retained for this assignment.

My husband Tom’s (Marquand) Mt Yab is also capable of putting in a brave display after stepping up over this course and distance in May but was disappointing at York last time so has something to prove in such a competitive handicap.

Lexington can blitz them in the sprint handicap

D Coral Reward Shaker Handicap (4.10) will be fast and furious at Goodwood and can go fast The Lexington BlitzWho ran a huge race in the Epsom Dash last month.

A course and distance winner, Robert Cowell’s four-year-old looked good enough to win it by just 1lb high mark but don’t underestimate Richard Spencer’s pair Run Boy Run and Twilight Calls.

Richard has a knack for winning big sprint hurdles and has enlisted the services of Ryan Moore’s son Toby who claimed a priceless 7lb in the Run Boy Run. He draws well at 17 stalls for such a race while Newmarket winner Twilight Calls remains on the 90 mark handicap with Saffy Osborne in the saddle.

I’ll be back with my thoughts on Wednesday’s action at Goodwood featuring the Group 1 Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes and the Big Juvenile Sprint, the Group 3 Molecombe Stakes.

Holly Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.