Ryan Moore is expecting Aidan O’Brien’s staying star Kyprios to take all the beating in this afternoon’s Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, plus the latest non-runners and going news live from the track.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained six-year-old landed the two-mile top-level prize in 2022, in a glorious campaign which also saw him take out the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the Irish St Leger and a remarkable twenty-length rout of his rivals in the Prix du Cadran.
A career-threatening injury would see him miss the majority of last season but following victories in the Vintage Crop and Saval Beg before regaining his Ascot Gold cup crown, it's fair to say Aidan O'Brien's charge is back to his best.
Paddy Power makes Kyprios their 2/5 market leader to regain his Goodwood Cup title and Moore, who has ridden the superstar stayer throughout his career, expects him to take plenty of beating back on the downs.
"There'd be a few in here whose chance you have to respect but my horse is clearly the one to beat," said Moore on Betfair.
He added: "After a couple of warm-up wins in lesser company, I loved the way he did it for me at Royal Ascot last time, which was probably his best effort since his unbeaten 2022 season, which included a defeat of Stradivarius in this race. He is in good shape for this."
Sweet William, who was six lengths behind Kyprios in the Ascot feature, will bid to turn the tables for John and Thady Gosden, while team Clarehaven is also represented by Wathnan Racing's Gregory. The latter landed the Queen's Vase at the Royal meeting last season but needs to bounce back from his disappointing seventh-place finish behind the aforementioned pair last-time-out.
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore would have been hoping to team up for Vintage Stakes glory courtesy of The Parthenon earlier on the card, but as conditions continue to quicken, the master of Ballydoyle has decided not to allow the son of Kingman to take his chance.
Horses declared on Monday on ground that was described as good, good to soft in places (from good to soft), but the going was changed to good all over this morning.
The withdrawal of Vintages Stakes market leader The Parthenon has seen Charlie Appleby's Aomori City jump to the top of the betting for the Group 2 prize. The son of Oasis Dream created a big impression at Nottingham on debut before emerging with plenty of credit back in third in the July Stakes at Newmarket.
Aomori City will now step up to seven furlongs for the first time and Appleby is expecting there to be plenty more to come from his colt.
He said on Godolphin's social media: "He's been a consistent little horse. He finished a creditable third last start in the July Stakes and we feel stepping up to the seven furlongs will suit. The track and trip should hopefully bring about plenty of improvement and on all evidence, he should be a major player around there."
Non-runners
1.50 - Sir Busker (going)
2.25 - The Parthenon (going)
3.35 - Tashkhan (going)
5.55 - Star Of Lady M (going)
