One of the most beautiful racecourses in the UK, aesthetically speaking, is Goodwood which sits right on the Sussex downs.

While other important meetings do take place at this flat-only venue, the summer Glorious meeting is among the most important festivals in the world.

Only a month or so after Royal Ascot is over with, another five days of pure quality events are hosted right here with many winners from the royal meeting looking to double up on the South Downs.

While important Group 1 races such as the Nassau Stakes and the Sussex Stakes help to crown champions, main handicap the Stewards’ Cup ranks among one of the most bet on races of the entire year in Great Britain.

Goodwood Track Details

Goodwood can be a tricky place for horses and jockeys, and ultimately therefore, for punters too. The bottom turn can get messy here and the sharp bend into the straight can help develop some hard luck stories.

The track is right-handed with two distinct bends. The lower bend is used in races of up to 1¼ miles, while from 1 mile, 3 furlongs and over the top bend is in use.

Those using the top bend have a run-in of fully five furlongs, making some punters think this to be a galloping course but that is way off the mark. As horses are going downhill at the time, Goodwood is actually very sharp meaning horses with strong speed figures and who race prominently can have an advantage.

Along with Epsom’s downhill all the way track, Goodwood’s sprint course is one of the quickest anywhere around which is why those who are all speed, such as Battaash, have excelled here down the years. In terms of a draw bias here in the sprints, middle is often best and runners can simply break out and go straight and quick which is the way to go at Goodwood.

Top Trainers and Jockeys on the Downs

Goodwood can be a tough place to get some luck, so knowing the better trainers and jockeys there is sometimes a handicapping boost. The best trainers at Goodwood are:

• Mark Johnston
• Andrew Balding
• William Haggas
• Ralph Beckett
• John Gosden
• Charlie Appleby

And the jockeys with the best Goodwood strike-rates are:

• Oisin Murphy
• Harry Bentley
• Jim Crowley
• Tom Marquand
• James Doyle
• Ryan Moore
• William Buick

Major Handicaps at Goodwood

Some fairly high-profile handicaps are run during the Spring, Summer and August meetings at Goodwood but undoubtedly the most money is traded during the Glorious festival in late July and early August. The top betting event here is the Stewards’ Cup.

Race	Meeting	Grade	Distance
Handicap	Glorious Goodwood	Class 2	1 mile, 1 furlong, 192 yards
Goodwood Handicap	Glorious Goodwood	Class 2	2 miles, 4 furlongs, 134 yards
Handicap	Glorious Goodwood	Class 2	1 mile, 3 furlongs, 218 yards
Golden Mile Handicap	Glorious Goodwood	Class 2	1 mile
Summer Handicap	Glorious Goodwood	Class 2	1 mile, 6 furlongs
Stewards’ Cup	Glorious Goodwood	Class 2	6 furlongs