Sir Maximilian© Photo Healy Racing
Tim Pitt has a few factors to take into account before deciding if recent Curragh winner Sir Maximilian takes in Saturday's 32Red Cup at Goodwood.
After missing the cut for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, Shropshire-based Pitt tried his sprinter without success at Newcastle and Hamilton but he returned to form in the Rockingham Handicap.
"He came out of the Curragh in really good form," said Pitt.
"I've also entered him in a Listed race at Chester on Sunday and we're going to have to sit down and think.
"On the one hand, I'd be of the opinion that there's only one Stewards' Cup, and he liked strong pace. He'll get that at Goodwood but not necessarily at Chester.
"But on the other hand, Chester's on the doorstep and Goodwood is five hours away.
"Before he won at the Curragh, everyone was of the opinion that he has to have soft ground, but I think he just wants a safe surface. I'm sure that's what (clerk of the course) Seamus Buckley would provide at Goodwood."
Twenty-eight horses can face the starter for the huge betting race, long known as the Stewards' Cup, and hot favourite Muthmir has been confirmed under a penalty.
The odds for William Haggas' gelding collapsed when he took the Skybet Dash at York last Saturday with some authority, while the trainer could also still run last year's winner Rex Imperator.
Most of the leading names in the market remain in the mix, like Alben Star, Robert Cowell's in-form Intrinsic and Mike Murphy's valuable Ascot handicap winner Discussiontofollow.
