The final day of Glorious Goodwood features the toughest race of the week, The Stewards’ Cup.

At the time of writing, 27 horses stand their ground for the race, which makes it a difficult task to try and pick the winner, but we’ll try our best.

The stand out in terms of handicap mark is Sir Dancealot who races off 101 due to the race being an early closer. He is now rated 110 after a really good second in the Bunbury Cup. Ryan Moore is an eye-catching booking and if he handles the softer conditions then he must have a massive chance. The ground is a bit of a concern, given his breeding generally points to a preference for fast, but he’s certainly well-in here. The last two winners of the race have both been three-year-olds, which also points in his favour. He is the first selection.

Projection is respected after a fine third in the Wokingham, but this will be a very different test given the track and softer surface. Danzeno should handle the ground, but carries a 6lb penalty and top weight, which makes life a bit tougher.

Hoof It won the consolation race for the Stewards’ Cup last year and while I’m not entirely convinced by his comeback run, he has the ability to win. Drawn in Stall 4, he’s my second pick.

The final selection is Raucous. He ran a perfectly respectable race in the Wokingham and in the Hackwood Stakes. The key piece of form for me is his third in last year’s Stewards’ Cup. He races off the same handicap mark here and connections will no doubt have had an eye on this race since his placed effort 12 months ago. So, three picks – Sir Dancealot, Hoof It and Raucous.

The race just prior to the Stewards’ Cup is a totally different kettle of fish, with just five runners. Mount Moriah has been running well in handicaps and should like the soft ground, but this is a big step-up. Across Dubai is an unknown quantity, so the focus has to be on Crystal Ocean and Khalidi. The pair faced each other in the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot, with Khalidi finishing just over a length ahead of Crystal Ocean. That was on Good to Firm and my suspicion is that Crystal Ocean can reverse that form on slower going and now that he has a little more experience.

One other horse to look out for this weekend – Whatsforuwontgobyu. Galway 3.05pm. Might be worth a nibble at 20/1.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2017

1.50pm Qatar Stewards’ Sprint Handicap (consolation race) 6f 3yo+ £75,000

Race odds: Scorching Heat (15/2), Gin In The Inn (8), The Wagon Wheel (10), Goodwood Crusader (12), Pettochside (12), George Bowen (14), Six Strings (14), Manshood (16), Rasheeq (16), Royal Brave (16), Son Of Africa (16), Lightning Charlie (18), Tommy G (18), Lucky Beggar (22), Secondo (22), Intibaah (25), Stellarta (25), Belledesert (33), Goring (33), L C Saloon (40), Archimedes (66)
The Duke’s pick: The Wagon Wheel, Rasheeq, Scorching Heat

2.25pm Qatar Summer Handicap 1m 6f 3yo+ £100,000

Race odds: Shraaoh (13/2), Mainstream (7), Getback In Paris (8), Blakeney Point (9), Saigon City (9), Platitude (10), Felix Mendelssohn (12), Soldier In Action (12), Jaameh (16), Sir Chauvelin (16), Carntop (20), My Reward (20), Arch Villain (22), Cleonte (28)
The Duke’s pick: Saigon City

3.00pm Qatar Gordon Stakes (G3) 1m 3f 218y 3yo £100,000

Race odds: Crystal Ocean (6/4), Khalidi (9/4), Mount Moriah (11/2), Across Dubai (12), Jakes Hill (20)
The Duke’s pick: Crystal Ocean

3.35pm Qatar Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap) 6f 3yo+ £250,000

Race odds: Growl (9), Projection (10), Danzeno (12), Sir Dancealot (12), Polybius (14), Shanghai Glory (16), Al Qahwa (18), Donjuan Triumphant (18), Raucous (18), Brian The Snail (22), Eastern Impact (22), Edward Lewis (25), Hoof It (25), Upstaging (25), Aeolus (28), Outback Traveller (28), Stake Acclaim (28), Hoofalong (33), Intisaab (33), Lancelot Du Lac (33), Poyle Vinnie (33), Classic Seniority (40), Duke Of Firenze (50), Go Far (50), Harry Hurricane (50), Mobsta (50), Perfect Pasture (50), Solar Flair (50)
The Duke’s pick: Sir Dancealot, Hoof It, Raucous

4.10pm Qatar EBF Stallions Maiden 7f 2yo £30,000

Race odds: Bathsheba Bay (6/4), Dee Ex Bee (4), Preacher Man (7), Rogue (8), Trogon (10), Amazing Rock (16), Power of Darkness (16), Bodie And Doyle (20), Capital Flight (20), King Of The Sand (25), Rustang (25), The Lamplighter (50), Sing Out Loud (66), Galloping Hogan (100)
The Duke’s pick: Dee Ex Bee/Preacher Man

4.45pm Qatar Handicap (86-105) 7f 3yo £30,000

Race odds: Taamol (2), Battered (9/2), Medahim (11/2), Aventinus (13/2), Sir Titan (7), Colonel Frank (14), Mazyoun (14)
The Duke’s pick: Taamol

5.20pm Qatar Apprentice Handicap (71-90) 1m 1f 11y 3yo+ £25,000

Race odds: You’re Hired (5), Born To Be Alive (7), Storm Ahead (15/2), Fire Tree (9), Balmoral Castle (11), Rotherwick (11), Interconnection (12), Spring Offensive (12), Fast Dancer (16), Storm King (16), Boots And Spurs (25), In The Red (25), Magic City (25), Morning Suit (25), Bancnuanaheireann (33), Jufn (33), Retrieve (66)
The Duke’s pick: You’re Hired