Barbill Can Surprise in Stewards' Cup

A fantastic race which was very kind to us two years ago when Gifted Master won on the line!

Let’s take on the front of the market with two well handicapped horses at double digit prices. First up is Barbill representing trainer Mick Channon. Barbill looks well treated having won nicely first time out this season at Haydock when too quick for both Kimifive and Aljady. The handicapper raised him 5lbs for that success which looks lenient today following the subsequent success of Aljady who is races from a pound higher mark. Barbill has always been highly regarded racing at pattern level as a 2yo.

Barbill won the valuable sales race at the Curragh on Irish Champions weekend before going on to finish third at Newmarket in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes. Last season as a 3yo he ran inconsistently and was gelding over the winter. That procedure seems to have done the trick as he won well at Haydock and should step forward again today. He is drawn high in stall 21 with pace both high and low so it’s a guess where the best draw will be.

Open Wide has a great turn of foot coming from off the pace in a strongly run sprint handicap on fast ground. Those conditions are pretty rare each season but this race provides his ideal conditions. He will need plenty of luck as Pat Dobbs will be weaving a passage through a block of horses over the final furlong. Last year in this race he met a little trouble in running yet came home very fast to claim second place behind the winner Khaadem who is a Group level horse. Open Wide races from a 3lb lower mark this afternoon with locally based trainer Amanda Perrett runners going well this week. A draw in stall 12 is close to where he jumped from last season (stall 8) and he carries a featherweight of 8-8.

Goodwood - 3:35

0.5 Point EACH WAY Barbill (20/1 William Hill paying 7 places)

0.5 Point EACH WAY Open Wide (25/1 Paddy Power & Betfair SB, paying 5 places)

Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/2020-08-01-goodwood/15:35/winner