Scandinavia (10/11) and Trawlerman (2/1) are all set to meet for a second time following their gruelling bout in last month's Ascot Gold Cup.
The superstar stayers went hammer and tongs for two-and-a-half miles at Royal Ascot, producing arguably the most thrilling race of this year's British Flat racing showpiece.
Tuesday sees them renew their rivalry in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup and punters can expect to witness a similarly hard-fought battle.
It was Scandinavia who landed the knockout blow six weeks ago, prevailing by just a head over his older rival. Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence in the staying ranks, winning three times at Group 1 level, including this race last year and Classic success in the St Leger.
Despite having more miles on the clock, Trawlerman won't lie down without a fight. He has posted an RPR of at least 120+ on each of his last five starts and has won on four occasions, only being beaten in the Ascot Gold Cup where he arrived off a 243-day break.
Although the Gosden inmate is yet to take his chance in a Goodwood Cup, he is a perfect one from one at the track after a win in the Summer Handicap in 2022.
Discussion around the big two will account for the lion's share of pre-race build-up but the supporting cast are well worth their place.
Rahiebb (10/1) was narrowly denied a Classic when he was downed by Scandinavia in the St Leger last year and a return to the form that he showed as a three-year-old would put him right in the mix here.
With three places on offer, someone has to fill the frame at a big price, an objective that will be on the minds of connections of both Amiloc (14/1) and Lazy Griff (14/1).
The latter -- ridden by champion jockey Oisin Murphy for the very first time -- promised a lot before injury prematurely ended his three-year-old career but he did get back on track with a Listed win at Sandown at the beginning of this month.
Goodwood Cup declarations
- Amiloc (Hector Crouch)
- French Master (James Doyle)
- Illinois (Sean Levey)
- Lazy Griff (Oisin Murphy)
- Rahiebb (Ray Dawson)
- Scandinavia (Ryan Moore)
- Trawlerman (William Buick)
- Miss Alpilles (Kieran Shoemark)
Goodwood Cup betting odds
(Odds will display when market is available)
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
