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IT IS one of the highlights of the betting season and relies not only on the draw, pace and going, but to a huge degree jockeyship as well. The 28-runner cavalry charge over the straight six is a real test for these riders, and of course, the one factor we haven’t yet mentioned, luck!

The Coral Stewards’ Cup (3.20) this year looks very much up to standard, with the top weight set to carry 9-12. But more importantly, off a mark of 110 and the top 16 runners in the handicap set run off a three-figure mark to boot.

That shows you the strength and depth in this year’s renewal, and even to just get into the race the bottom weight, Zargun, runs off a mark of 92.

Fast ground is a certainly this afternoon, and that brings me to the first of my two plays in the race, the rejuvenated TINTO.

The Michael Dods-trained charge won off a rating of 100 in June 2020 when beating the subsequent Stewards’ Cup hero of that year, Summerghand. He was beaten four-and-a-quarter lengths into 15th that day.

Since that afternoon two years ago, the now six-year-old has run 28 times up to the start of this season, with his mark plummeting to 87 before he put together back-to-back wins in his backyard at Thirsk and Ripon (90).

He was then given far too much to do, but not disgraced when a late running two-and-three-quarter lengths off Justanotherbottle off 95 back at Ripon, and was surprisingly dropped to 94 for this mission.

If the fair weather forecast is proven right, and David Probert rides him with balls of steel, then I can see him rushing home late and defying his current available odds of around 33/1 — do look for the bookmakers offering the extra places.

The other string to my bow in the race will be METHOD, who has admittedly proved more than a wee bit disappointing in his third season in training. Winner of the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury, following a winning debut as a juvenile, he has failed to land a gold medal in eight starts as a three and four-year-old.

However, on his second start this season he ran an absolute cracker when third of eight in the Group Three Coral Charge at Sandown Park, beaten just two-and-three-quarter lengths to the upwardly mobile Raasel.

He ran hugely below that run when last of 13 in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury. But we know he is way better than that run suggests, and anything around the 25/1 market makes him an interesting player here.

Of the remaining 26 runners, I have the biggest respect for summer horse Mr Wagyu, and at a bigger price the disappointing but capable Roger Varian charge Saint Lawrence.

Mentioned earlier on, 2020-hero Summerghand — who didn’t get the best of runs in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot — should also come into the equation should the gaps open late on for the old boy.

The Stewards’ Cup Consolation at 1.40 normally gives us a few clues for the main event from the draw perspective. But sadly the race has far from filled up with only 12 runners set to go to post.

The nod goes to top weight DIGITAL, who has yet to hit top form this season, but has run well at this downhill track before and is beginning to look nicely treated off a rating of 90. I make the Richard Hughes-trained Nelson Gay the biggest danger under Ryan Moore.

A field of 14 are set to go to post for the Coral Summer Handicap over a mile-and-three-quarters at 2.10, with the evergreen Euchen Glen set to carry top weight off a rating of 102. But there are plenty of improvers further down the list that may have his measure.

Top of the shop for me is VALLEY FORGE who was absolutely hacking in the Northumberland Plate three furlongs out, but found less than expected when asked for his effort by David Probert, eventually finishing seventh of the 20 runners behind the mighty Trueshan, beaten seven lengths.

He has yet to run on an undulating track such as Goodwood, but the stiff uphill climb down the side of the course will suit him, and hopefully his stamina will come into play down the home stretch.

Just the two three-year-old fillies take on their elders in the Group Two Lily Langtry Stakes at 2.45, and it is no surprise to see Sea La Rosa a short-priced favourite for the Haggas/Marquand team.

But I just thought that she could find the ground a wee bit on the fast side and preference at an each-way price if the field of eight stand their ground could well be the Irish raider FORBEARANCE.

Jessie Harrington’s charge has owned both her starts over 12 furlongs when racing on good to firm ground, the latter when flying home to the tune of two-and-a-half lengths in the Group Three Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket last year, and served notice that her turn was close at hand last time out when a never nearer fifth of 12 in the Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown.

The mile of the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot was way too sharp for BOLTHOLE, and I expect him to make amends in the concluding nine furlong handicap at 4.30.

Elsewhere in the country, have a second look at STAR FORTRESS (2.25) in the Listed Chalice Stakes at Newmarket, while CASHEW (3.35) can take advantage of her bottom weight in the six furlong handicap later on the card.

At Doncaster, ROBASTA gets the nod over Thornaby Peral (needs softer ground) in the sprint handicap at 4.35, while I shall also be having a play on BASHFUL (Hamilton Park, 8.00) after what was a disappointing run on the Tapeta at Newcastle seven days ago.