2022 Goodwood Cup: Bjorn Nielsen on what could be Stradivarius's farewell

Tuesday: 3.35 Goodwood
Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) | 2m | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

The end is near for one of the greatest Flat stayers of the modern era but connections of Stradivarius have stopped short of saying Tuesday's Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup will be his last dance.

If it does ultimately prove to be the 35th and last run of the eight-year-old's career, then Goodwood is certainly a fitting place to call time on an outstanding innings that stretches back to 2016.

The only horse in history to win the Goodwood Cup on four occasions, Stradivarius boasts an unbeaten record at the course and a fifth win on Tuesday will push his career prize-money earnings through the £3.6 million mark.

"It could be his last run, of course, but it depends on his performance and he seems in really good form," said owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen. "I saw him go up Warren Hill the other day and he’s in good nick."

Speaking to Qipco British Champions Series, Nielsen added: "I’m just taking it one race at a time and we’ll see how it goes. If he gets properly beaten we’d probably call it quits, but he’s not shown any signs of that and there’s a chance he’ll run again, for sure. He has an entry in the Lonsdale at York, so we are keeping our options open."

Joint-trainer John Gosden has also left the door to York and next month's Lonsdale Cup open, while deferring a final decision on the horse's future beyond Goodwood to his owner-breeder.

"He’s been in good form at home since Ascot and we’ve had to stick to the all-weather surfaces as it’s been so dry," said Gosden. "It looks a really good race this year and it has always been the plan to take in the Yorkshire Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup and this race but beyond that is a decision for the owner.

"With the cutaway rail in place hopefully everyone gets a clear run on ground that should suit everybody."

Conditions perfect for Kyprios

You have to go back to Yeats in 2008 to find the last Goodwood Cup winner trained by Aidan O'Brien but the Ballydoyle trainer takes aim at this year's race with a stayer of huge potential in Gold Cup hero Kyprios.

Yeats completed the Gold Cup-Goodwood Cup double in 2006 and 2008, and Kyprios bids to do the same after overcoming a muddling contest to win the greatest staying prize of all at Royal Ascot last month.

"He came out of Ascot in good form and everything has gone well with him since," said O'Brien. "This was always the plan and we're happy with his work. The ground should be just right for him."

Among the least exposed in the field, Kyprios is unbeaten in three runs this year and it was his first start beyond a mile and three-quarters when beating the reopposing Stradivarius and Princess Zoe at the royal meeting.

While Stradivarius suffered little luck in running at Ascot, Kyprios did not enjoy the perfect journey either but managed to overcome adversity to win. Rider Ryan Moore was adamant his horse was "much the best" on that occasion and he gets the chance to prove it here.

What they say

Ismail Mohammed, trainer of Away He Goes
He's in good nick but all the top horses are in there and it's a very strong race. He needed the run at Royal Ascot but judged on how he's been working since, he should be running well and the extra distance will help.

Rob Hornby, rider of Coltrane
He was given a super ride at Royal Ascot by Callum Hutchinson, when he showed he stayed so well. He seems to have built on that and he's growing up all the time. He really attacked the rising ground at Sandown last time and he's still improving.

Coltrane: progressive stayer trained by Andrew BaldingCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Ian Williams, trainer of Enemy
We got the tactics totally wrong at Sandown last time. On his Sagaro run he merits his chance but obviously it's tough with the three best stayers in there. There's a lot of prize-money for the lesser places and that's realistically what he's running for.

Charlie Johnston, joint-trainer of Thunderous
He was disappointing at York a couple of weeks ago, although he went there as a prep for this, so we expect him to come forward for the run. On his previous York run when he was only beaten a length by Stradivarius, he deserves to be there.

Joey Sheridan, rider of Princess Zoe
She came out of Ascot well and has done a couple of nice bits of work – she felt brilliant last week. Kyprios looked very good at Ascot and he might be improving, so it's a tough race, but hopefully she'll give a good account of herself.

Read more on the Goodwood Cup:

Star stayer Trueshan expected to get Goodwood Cup go-ahead by Alan King

'There's no pressure at all' – ice-cool Atzeni relishing Stradivarius Cup ride

and more Tuesday previews . . .

1.50 Goodwood: could the John Smith's Cup at York prove the key to this competitive handicap?

2.25 Goodwood: 'He's favourite and rightly so' – Burke bullish about Holloway Boy in Vintage

3.00 Goodwood: 'He should have an excellent chance' – who is feeling confident for the Lennox?

5.10 Galway: Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott go head-to-head for Listed novice hurdle prize

6.40 Galway: who does Ado McGuinness like best of his eight BMW Mile contenders?

New customer offer. Place a £10 Sportsbook bet on any horseracing market between July 25-29 at minimum odds 1/5 (1.2) and get £40 in free bets on bet settlement. Valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards will qualify (Apple Pay deposits excluded). T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.