Stewards’ Cup 2021: Key trends and tip for Goodwood’s premier handicap

Khaadem winning the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood 2019

One of the biggest betting races of the year, the Stewards’ Cup is always a fascinating puzzle. A maximum field of 28 will contest for the six-furlong prize, with the likes of Magical Memory, Lancelot Du Lac, Gifted Master, Khaadem and Summerghand the recent winners.

We’ll have horse racing tips for all of Saturday’s action, including the races live on ITV Racing. The Group 2 Lillie Langtry also features on Saturday, with Newmarket the other venue live on ITV. HQ hosts a card headlined by the Listed Chalice Stakes, with a competitive nursery the other race from the venue.

Although they shouldn’t be treated as gospel, trends are a good guide to finding winners. They can point towards a horse who fits the profile of previous winners and we’ve taken a look at the trends for this year’s Stewards’ Cup. Find all the key details below.

10/10 – Distance winner

It’ll come as little surprise, that all ten of the previous Stewards’ Cup winners had previously won over six furlongs. Goodwood is a track that suits speedier horses and as such, you want to be favouring horses who will race close to the pace. Those dropping back in trip may find themselves outpaced and it’s very difficult to claw back ground on the downs.

9/10 – Rated within 3lb of RPR top-rated

Although a handicap, it takes a very classy horse to poach this prize. That’s why nine of the last ten winners were rated within three pounds of the RPR top-rated. Two horses in 2021 share that honour, Barbill and Hurricane Ivor (123), with these horses being rated within three pounds of them:

122: Justanotherbottle, Mr Lupton
121: Ambassador, Motagally
120: Atalanta’s Boy, Desert Safari, Fresh, Lampang, Zargun

9/10 – Recorded best RPR in the past year in a Class 2 handicap

One of the more fascinating trends, nine of the last ten winners recorded their best RPR in the past year in a Class 2 handicap. That goes back to the previous trend of class winning out the day, as those with top level handicap form have tended to win out the day.

7/10: Officially rated between 102 and 108

As always in a competitive handicap, weight is a key factor. Seven of the last ten winners were rated between 102 and 108, with these four horses occupying the sweet spot in terms of rating:

105: Punchbowl Flyer
104: Ejtilaab, Mr Lupton
103: Lampang

Stewards’ Cup 2021 trends selection

The horse who meets all the trends is the Richard Fahey-trained Mr Lupton. He’s a six-time winner over the six-furlong distance and is rated 122 on the RPR ratings, putting him just one-pound off the two principles. On official ratings, he’s rated 104, which puts him in the sweet spot, and he posted a career-best RPR when landing a valuable Class 2 handicap at York back in May.

He disappointing at Royal Ascot last time, but he can be forgiven that run on account of the very soft ground. Conditions should be perfect for him come Saturday and Fahey has previous in the race, having won it in 1998 with Superior Premium. He’ll be hoping to double his tally with this classy eight-year-old.

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If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.