9:59am Saturday 4th August 2007
By Flared Nostril
MASTERSHIP is worth a punt off a low weight for this afternoon's Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood.
Clive Brittain's Best of the Best colt looked a potential top-notcher when winning on the all-weather in awesome fashion back in February when a tilt at the Italian Guineas was mentioned.
He ran in the Greenham - a high-class trial - and did not fare too badly when fourth behind Major Cadueaux, and was last in the French 1,000 Guineas.
But it was his run when unluckily drawn behind Smookh at Newmarket over seven furlongs that suggests he is nicely handicapped.
He won the race of the badly-drawn horses on the far side, but has a favourable low draw here - No. 1 - and should be even more effective over a furlong shorter in an all-out cavalry charge.
A hold-up horse, a but of luck in running will be needed, but class could see him pull away.
Roger Fisher's Beckmet has the firm good he needs and is entitled to run a big race, though he has gone up a couple of poounds since his Wokingham at Royal Ascot when it was just too soft for him to make an impact.
He has top-class form in the book and Grantley Adams and Zidane are others to fear, but Mastership get the vote.
RAHIYAH is worth another chance after a disappointment last time out judged on her close-up third in the French 1,000 Guineas. Jeremy Noseda's filly tackles the Thoroughbred Stakjes at 2.45 on the card.
Earlier, The Nostril goes for a long pick with Zoom One in the 2.10pm opening race.
Marcus Tregoning needs a bit of a pick-me-up and this long-price selection could provide it if settling after taking a drop in the ratings.
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