Illinois part of strong-looking cast for Goodwood Cup
The Ballydoyle handler has also left in his runaway Bahrain Trophy winner Scandinavia, who is the only three-year-old in the potential field, while in Trawlerman's absence John and Thady Gosden could saddle the improving French Master, consistent stayer Sweet William and Military Academy.
Alan King will be encouraged to see some ease in the ground for his 2022 Goodwood Cup hero Trueshan, who has not been seen in competitive action since finishing fourth at ParisLongchamp in late May.
Saeed bin Suroor's Gold Cup third Dubai Future, the Andrew Balding-trained Subsequent and Sunway from David Menuisier's yard are the other contenders, with the latter poised for a first outing over two miles after finishing fourth in the Hardwicke Stakes last month.
Menuisier said: 'He ran well at Ascot and Oisin (Murphy) felt he'd be better over further.
'He stayed a mile and three-quarters in the St Leger last year so we're hopeful he'll get the trip. The blinkers seemed to help him concentrate, so we'll keep them on.'
The Pulborough-based trainer also houses an interesting contender for the Group Two Coral Vintage Stakes on the same card in the form of Goodwood Galaxy, who is owned by the Goodwood Racecourse Owners Group and made a strong impression when winning on debut at Salisbury earlier this month.
'He's really well and on Tuesday, he did a piece of work and came through it like nothing happened, so I'm very pleased,' Menuisier added.
'When you win first time out, you really only have two options, go for a novice with a 7lb penalty, or take a shot at a stakes race. These days, novices and maidens are so strong that you can easily bump into a Godolphin or a Gosden horse that turns out to be Group class, and you're giving them weight. At least in a stakes race you know it's a good level, but at level weights.
'Goodwood is our back garden, so we're going there relaxed and grateful to have such a nice horse in the yard, but we're going there to try and win.
'Glorious Goodwood is very close to my heart, more so than Royal Ascot, if I'm honest. It's the meeting of the year where you want to go and show your colours. Training for the Goodwood Racecourse Owners Group there, it's nearly a dream come true.'
Goodwood Galaxy is one of 18 juveniles in contention for the Vintage, with Aidan O'Brien's pair of Brussels and Dorset, Charlie Appleby's Pacific Avenue and Eve Johnson Houghton's July Stakes victor Zavateri among the leading hopes.
Group Two honours also up for grabs in the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes, which features Ralph Beckett's dual winner Kinross, the Gosden-trained defending champion Audience and Andrew Balding's French Guineas runner-up Jonquil.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd files: Shaw fuming at Amorim snub, new Old Trafford wage structure revealed and meet next Carrington wonderkid
A club legend will be saying farewell this weekend SHAW-LY NOT Man Utd files: Shaw fuming at Amorim snub, new Old Trafford wage structure revealed and meet next Carrington wonderkid Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS MANCHESTER United's longest-serving current player, Shaw was extremely frustrated about being left out of Amorim's six-man leadership group. Club skipper Bruno Fernandes heads a small bunch of lieutenants, including Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot and even back-up keeper Tom Heaton. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Luke Shaw is Manchester United's longest-serving player Credit: PA 11 Ruben Amorim has left Shaw out of his leadership group Credit: AFP And Shaw was fuming about being snubbed, with Amorim hoping the 30-year-old's disappointment rubs off by the start of the new season. It apparently seemed to have affected Shaw's performances in training, with the left-back appearing to not push himself 100 per cent. To make matters worse 19-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro was extremely close to making the sextet of leaders. But Amorim decided to keep Yoro out of it for now, although the boss thinks the French teenager will be the pillar of the back-line and could become a club legend. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL FIRE CRACKERS Shock moment player is hit by FIREWORK and suffers nasty testicle injury Shaw is the most experienced player at Carrington and has basically been there for the entirety of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. He has two years left on his 180,000-a-week deal and was once deemed among the best full-backs in the Premier League, but he's showing weakness in defence and positioning. MONEY SAVERS The days of Alexis Sanchez earning £500,000-a-week at Manchester United are long gone. The Red Devils are set to make Benjamin Sesko their fourth summer signing in a £74million move from RB Leipzig. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN But United seem to have adopted a new strategy in terms of wages with none of the new recruits picking up more than £200,000-a-week. Matheus Cunha is alleged to be on £180,000-a-week following his £62.5m from Wolves. Benjamin Sesko touches down in private jet at Manchester Airport before being whisked away to seal £74m Man Utd transfer While ex-Brentford star forward Bryan Mbeumo is also believed to be on a salary of £150,000-a-week after signing on for £71m last month. Leon, 18, is viewed as a development player so would not command wages anywhere near the top earners at the club such as Casemiro and captain Bruno Fernandes. Sesko's pay packet appears to be in the same modest bracket as Cunha and Mbeumo as United try to continue their rebuild under Ruben Amorim with contracts focusing more on performance. Back in 2018, Sanchez arrived at Old Trafford from Arsenal playing the piano as he commanded a mega financial package but the Chilean was out of tune in a miserable 18 month spell. 11 Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have joined Manchester United Credit: Getty 11 Diego Leon is a promising young player who has joined this summer Credit: Getty Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea and Marcus Rashford have been high earners over more recent seasons but none will be in Amorim's first-team this term. Maybe United have finally learnt from their mistakes of the past as the club aim to maintain a shift in culture. NUNO MENDES 2.0 11 Patrick Dorgu is being backed for success Credit: AP 11 He has been likened to Nuno Mendes Credit: Getty Ruben Amorim believes Patrick Dorgu has the potential to become the next Nuno Mendes 2.0. Insiders have told SunSport that the Portuguese gaffer 'loves' Dorgu after helping him hone his craft during their first full pre-season together. The left wing-back, who endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford but showed moments of promise amid the turmoil, was one the biggest takeaways from the US tour. Dorgu, 20, played a key role in attacking the flanks in all three games of United's victorious Premier League Series, while scoring and assisting against Bournemouth. Comparing the Dane with the best left-back in the world in PSG's Mendes might be a bit of a stretch but it shows how much Amorim rates him. Despite joining for £30million from Lecce in January, Dorgu is set to become a major player this season, meaning Luke Shaw will find it difficult to earn his spot back. Shaw, who joined United in 2014, will be playing for a chance to get into Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the 2026 World Cup. RED GOODBYE 11 SunSport legend Neil Custis will be given a send-off by Man United Credit: Griffiths Photographers Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! David De Gea isn't the only 'legend' having a presentation at Old Trafford on Saturday. In the press room, long-serving Sunsport reporter Neil Custis will also be given a send-off by the Red Devils after bringing the curtain down on his 26 years covering the club. BRIGHT MOVE 11 Carlos Baleba is wanted at the club by fans Credit: Alamy United fans are desperate to see more new faces this summer – particularly Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. Ruben Amorim is a big fan of the Cameroonian but is unlikely to find the £100 million + needed to buy him during the current transfer window. So one United devotee – known as 'Ian M' has started a crowdfunding page to try to help Jim Ratcliffe raise the cash needed. On Friday afternoon, the figure stood at £254… some way to go yet Ian. YOUNG DEVILS European clubs are already sniffing around the next talented teenager off the Carrington production line. Scouts from central Europe have been taking notes on Manchester United's Under-19 team at a tournament in Croatia, and one Red Devils youngster has already been turning heads. United have sent a young squad to the Mladen Ramljak tournament with the likes of 15-year-old Kai Rooney and JJ Gabriel, still only 14, playing alongside and against much older kids. But the outstanding player in their opening match - a 1-0 win over Rapid Vienna - was midfielder Amir Ibragimov, who cooly converted the penalty that decided it. 11 Amir Ibragimov is a hot prospect from the United Academy Credit: Getty The 17-year-old has long been touted as an Old Trafford first-teamer of the future and word of his potential has travelled far. A scout who watched the game from the stands told a Croatian reporter that Ibragimov was the one to keep an eye on. "He is by far the most serious player in the tournament," the unnamed official told 24sata. That is serious praise given the likes of Benfica, who operate the most profitable youth academy in the world, Juventus and locals Dinamo Zagreb are also taking part in the tournament. The tireless Ibragimov commanded the midfield against Rapid and was a vocal presence throughout the game as he constantly cajoled and organised his teammates from the centre of the pitch. The Dagestan-born teenager is one of four brothers with two of his younger siblings also at United's academy. The eldest brother is Ibragim "The Mauler" Ibragimov - an undefeated MMA fighter with four victories in a row in the PFL cage. BOMBED OUT 11 Alejandro Garnacho is closing in on a move to Chelsea Credit: PA 11 Jadon Sancho has not been given a new squad number since his return from the Blues Credit: Getty THE 'bomb squad' have not been forgotten in the £50million revamp of Carrington. Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho all have a peg and locker in the new look first team dressing room. Each spot also has a touchscreen pad to let them know their schedules for the days ahead. Interestingly, though, unlike the other three, former England winger Sancho has not been assigned a number. The quartet are all training away from the first team squad as they look to secure moves away from Old Trafford in the next three weeks.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ollie Watkins saga takes fresh twist as Aston Villa confirm transfer decision
Ollie Watkins has attracted interest from across the Premier League, with Aston Villa reluctant to sell the England star before managing to source a replacement Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Evann Guessand - prompting further questions over the future of Ollie Watkins. A number of Premier League clubs have explored the prospect of landing England striker Watkins this summer, but any move was thought to be off the table without a replacement in place. Ivorian international Guessand could end up being that replacement. The 24-year-old, who can play across the front line, has joined from Nice in a deal worth around £26million. He scored 12 goals in Ligue 1 last season, adding nine assists, and also scored once in the Europa League. Explaining his decision to join Villa, the Corsica-born frontman pointed to the influence of manager Unai Emery. 'I was watching the games of Aston Villa in the last seasons, and after that we started talking with the coach," Guessand told club media. 'To be honest, our talks were the main point, because he really is the person who convinced me to come here, and of course we know the career of this coach. 'A long time ago, I saw him in the French league, and he's known for the way he used to improve the players he used to work with, so I was thinking about this. I'm a young player and I want to improve. I have many qualities that can improve, so when I spoke with the coach, I (knew) this is the right coach for me to become better and better.' Arsenal were linked with Watkins back in January but have since turned their attentions to other targets, with Viktor Gyokeres joining for north of £60m. Manchester United have also appeared keen, but are now poised to bring Benjamin Sesko to Old Trafford. One of those clubs could yet decide Watkins is still useful to them, though, while Newcastle remains an option. The Magpies are closing in on Yoane Wissa, according to Sky Sports, but could push for a second attacking addition with Callum Wilson joining West Ham and Alexander Isak potentially still in line for a Liverpool switch. Guessand is Villa's fourth summer signing of the window. Young Dutch forward Zepiqueno Redmond has joined from Feyenoord, with Emery's side also adding goalkeeper Marco Bizot and centre-back Yasin Ozcan - though the Turkish international has immediately headed to Anderlecht on loan. A number of fringe players have left, either permanently or on loan, while failure to qualify for the Champions League has left Villa unable to clinch permanent deals for last season's loanees Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio. Rashford has now joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, while Asensio is back at parent club Paris Saint-Germain - for now, at least.
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
O'Brien monitoring ‘quiet' Gstaad ahead of Phoenix showdown
The pair then went to Royal Ascot where Gstaad won the Coventry Stakes and True Love broke her maiden in the Queen Mary. Since then True Love has beaten the boys in the Railway Stakes by five lengths and actually brings a higher official rating than Gstaad, who has not run since Ascot. The colt, who is the choice of Ryan Moore, has given O'Brien a slight cause for concern on Friday but the handler hopes it is nothing too serious. True Love had no trouble beating the boys in the Railway Stakes (Niall Carson/PA) 'They've met before obviously and the filly has that little bit more experience than the colt,' said O'Brien. 'She's had an extra run since Ascot, so it's going to be interesting. 'The filly has a higher rating which is interesting but Gstaad was very good at Ascot. 'It has always been the plan for him to run at Ascot, have a little break and then go to the Curragh with him. 'Everything has been fine with both of them since, the filly hasn't done much since she ran the other week. 'Gstaad has been working well but he was just a little bit quiet this morning. I don't think it was anything serious – all his work has gone well but he was just a little quiet so hopefully he'll be OK.' O'Brien also runs Puerto Rico, second to True Love in the Railway and to Coppull in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. Green Sense wins the Group Two, Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly! Congratulations to trainer @JosephOBrien2 and jockey Maxime Guyon! 👏🏼🏆🇫🇷 — Simon Munir (@simon_munir) July 20, 2025 O'Brien's son Joseph fields the main danger in Green Sense, winner of the Prix Robert Papin last time out and a late absentee from the Ballyhane Stakes on Monday. He said: 'We're happy with her off the back of a good run. 'It looks a strong renewal of the race, obviously, if dad's two turn up. 'We're hoping for a good run from her, and it would be great if she could get Group One-placed.' Power Blue has not dodged anyone all season finishing fifth in the Coventry and third in the Railway, so Adrian Murray's colt faces a tall order in his bid to give the yard a second win in the race in three years. Murray said: 'This looks a tough race for Power Blue, but he's been running well in all the big races and he's danced all the dances. 'He's in great form so we'll let him take his chance. We'll see if Aidan runs both his big guns, you never know. 'We won this with Bucanero Fuerte two years ago and he would have the edge at the same stage. Power Blue is a very nice horse, but Bucanero just always had that touch of class, he's a Group One winner.' Power Blue is owned by Amo Racing as is the final runner in the field, David Loughnane's Do Bronxs.
