By Andrew Atkinson
A cool, calm and collective Frankie Dettori drove Stradivarius to Glorious Goodwood history when winning his fourth Goodwood Cup in style, ahead of Nayef Road, who was receiving a stone from John Gosden’s stable star.
“It looked like he was boxed in,” said Gosden, with six year old Stradivarius having to overcome a gap opening in-running, prior to finding space to thwart glory from Mark Johnston trained Nayef Road, under Andrea Atzeni.
Following Stradivarius’s (4-7f) win his odds have been slashed to 14-1 from 20-1 for the Arc de Triomphe.
“I think it was a great performance, under the weight. He has done a great deal,” added Gosden, who had described the race being Stradivarius’s biggest test.
“What a horse,” said a jubilant Dettori, whose victory was behind closed doors, due to COVID-19.
“Giving 15lbs away and to still win was amazing – an amazing horse – it’s stuff of dreams,” added Dettori, who gained a 1 length victory ahead of Nayef Road (20) with Santiago (15-8) in third.
“Stradivarius has a great heart and will go to France for an Arc trial, then head to the Arc de Triomphe,” added Gosden.
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