BEFORE Commanche Falls came along, you had to go back to 1967 and 1968 to find the last horse who was able to land back-to-back renewals of the Coral Stewards’ Cup.

Then Commanche Falls went to Goodwood in the summer of 2021 and, as a four-year-old, finished off his race well on the near side on the soft ground to get up and win by a neck.

Michael Dods’ horse was raised by 4lb for that win to a mark of 105, but he was back down to 103, winless in the interim, by the time he went back to Goodwood the following year and, on fast ground, clung on to win by a short-head.

Two Tribes was very good in winning the race on easy ground last year. In truth, he had the race in the bag from a long way out.

He travelled easily just behind the pace in the near side group before bursting clear and winning by daylight.

He is 7lb higher now than he was then, but he got 8lb for last year’s victory, and it is difficult to argue with that. He won a handicap in Dubai too during the winter, and he finished second in a listed race.

It has taken him a little while to find his metier since his return, he was well beaten in the Wokingham, but he is getting there.

He didn’t run badly in the Bunbury Cup at Newbury’s July meeting after a slow start, and he stepped forward from that last time when he finished second in the International Handicap at Ascot on King George day, a race that he won last year as a prelude to victory in today’s race.

Well-in

He travelled really well into his race that day, and he kept on well on the far side to take second place behind clear winner Amazing Journey.

The handicapper gave him 2lb for this but, because the Stewards’ Cup is an early closing race, he gets to race off his old mark of 102. He is 2lb well-in.

He has lots more in his favour besides. For starters, it is probable that he has been building up to this, that this has been his target since he returned from Dubai.

Secondly, his trainer Richard Spencer has his horses in good form, as evidenced by Twilight Calls’ win in the big five-furlong handicap at Goodwood on Tuesday. And we know that Phil Cunningham’s horse goes well at the track, he is one for one there, he is at least as good on fast ground as he is on easy ground, and, while he has the stamina for seven furlongs, a fast-run six suits him well.

High draw

His draw would ideally have been a little higher than 15, eight of the last nine winners were drawn 15 or higher, but Aberama Gold won from 15 and racing down the centre in 2023. That was on heavy ground. But Summerghand won from stall 17 and also racing down the centre in 2020.

Berkshire Royal in stall 19 usually goes forward, so it may be that David Egan will be able to take a tow from him over towards the stands-side group. He has so many other factors in his favour, you can allow for a less than ideal draw at the price.

You can make cases for plenty mind you. Far Above Dream goes into the race on an upward curve, he has a nice high draw and he is three for three at Goodwood.

Sondad was good in winning the Scurry last time, after he did well from a low draw in the Wokingham. He has a nice high draw today and he is still 1lb well-in under his 6lb penalty.

Dark Thirty ran a big race in the Scurry too and he gets to race off a mark of 96, 5lb lower than his new mark. Ferrous ran Strike Red to a nose at Hamilton last time, the pair of them clear of Jordan Electrics, who won at Ayr next time, and he is one for one at Goodwood.

It’s obviously a hot handicap, but Two Tribes could follow Commanche Falls’ lead.

Glorious Stakes

Earlier in the day, In My Teens is a fascinating contender in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes. A daughter of his Grade 1-winning hurdler Jer’s Girl, Gavin Cromwell’s filly has yet to win in five attempts over hurdles, but she was seriously impressive in winning the Ragusa Handicap on the flat last time at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend.

A 15lb hike for that win takes her up to a mark of 111, and puts her on the coat-tails of the top-rated horses here. Add her 3lb mares’ allowance, and the figures tell you that she has a big chance.

More than that, a four-year-old who has raced just six times on the flat, she has lots of potential to progress again now, and the fact that Gavin Cromwell and J.P. McManus are sending her to Goodwood to contest a Group 3 race is significant.

Opportunity is a big danger, William Haggas’ did well to win the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot from a stall one draw.

He has drawn stall one again today, but stall one over a mile and a half at Goodwood is not the negative that it is over a mile and a half at Ascot, and he is on a nice upward trajectory.

He could take another step forward now but, at a much bigger price, In My Teens is the bet.

In My Teens, 2.25 Goodwood, 9/1 (generally), 1pt win,

Two Tribes, 3.35 Goodwood, 17/2 (generally), 1pt each-way