Dubai: Godolphin veteran Cavalryman faces nine rivals, including stable companions Ahzeemah and Excellent Result, as the eight-year-old bids to win the Group 2 Goodwood Cup, Thursday’s staying highlight of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting.
Trained by Saeed Bin Surour, who is looking for a fourth victory in the 3,200m contest, the son of Halling will be partnered by six-time British champion Kieren Fallon for the first time in his career.
Cavalryman finished sixth behind Brown Panther in this race 12 months ago, while Ahzeemah, who was ridden by Fallon on that occasion, took second place.
However, Cavalryman has to show that he still has the talent and passion to perform at the highest level when winning the Group 2 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket in July.
Discussing the chances of his trio of runners, Bin Surour told the Godolphin website: “Cavalryman started the year in really good heart in Dubai and won well last time out at Newmarket.
“He was sixth in this race last year but returns to Goodwood in better form. Racing over two miles will be no problem and he is in good order, although it looks a tough race.
“Ahzeemah has been a little disappointing this year, but he didn’t stay two-and-a-half miles at Royal Ascot.
“Usually he improves with his racing and has been working nicely recently. He’s ready to go again and I hope for a better run over a distance that suits him.
“Excellent Result won over shorter distance in Dubai but we want to see if he can stay two miles and become a Cup horse.
“I have been really pleased with his work and he has improved since he ran at Newmarket, which was his first start since March.”
Bin Surour’s previous Goodwood Cup wins were delivered by Kayf Tara (1999), Schiaparelli (2009) and Opinion Poll (2011).
The Godolphin runners face Brown Panther, last year’s Ascot Gold Cup heroine Estimate, Hardwicke Stakes fourth Forgotten Voice and Northumberland Plate scorer Angel Gabrial.
