Arabian Gleam Set To Shine In Goodwood's Betfair Cup

Arabian Gleam, who ran a blinder on only his third outing to chase home Tariq and US Ranger in the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, has been given the go-ahead to contest the £150,000 Group Two Betfair Cup, run over seven furlongs on Tuesday, July 31, the opening day highlight of Glorious Goodwood 2007.

The Jeremy Noseda-trained son of Kyllachy, the easy winner of a six-furlong Polytrack maiden at Lingfield in May, was beaten less than four lengths at the Royal Meeting despite being the most inexperienced member of the field, and connections are expecting a bold show from their charge next week.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, revealed today: 'Arabian Gleam runs in the Betfair Cup at Goodwood on Tuesday.

'We were delighted with his run in the Jersey and he has come out of the race in very good shape. We toyed with the idea of running him in handicap company, but decided he should stick to Group races.

'He looks like he has improved from his Royal Ascot run and he is working very well now. The owner is keen to go to Goodwood and we are very hopeful.

'A mile will be no problem for him, but seven furlongs is fine for him at the moment. Good to soft ground should not be a problem. I think he has a very good chance.'

The Betfair Cup has attracted a cracking 20-strong entry, and Arabian Gleam could face a rematch with his Royal Ascot conqueror Tariq, trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam.

The John Gosden-trained Royal Oath, having previously landed the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, finished runner-up to Cesare in the Group Two Summer Mile at Ascot on July 14, when Clive Cox's Dunelight had no luck in running in fifth, having been impeded by Echo Of Light repeatedly throughout the final furlong.

Haatef, 10th behind Cockney Rebel in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, has since won both starts for handler Kevin Prendergast and is one of two Irish-trained entries, the other being five-year-old mare Redstone Dancer, trained by Sheena Collins, who has landed her last three outings since being in foal to Refuse To Bend.

Other contenders include ex-Australian performer Mutawaajid, now in the care of Mick Channon, and ninth to Sakhee's Secret on his British debut in the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket. Asset, trained by Richard Hannon, ran sixth that day, but is reported more likely to head to France for the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on August 5.

Assertive, another entry for the Richard Hannon stable, ran a fine third to Iffraaj in last year's Betfair Cup. The John Hills-trained Dark Islander took the Grade Two Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita, USA, in October, Bygone Days could represent Godolphin and Munaddam is entered for Ed Dunlop.

The action on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood 2007 also includes the five-furlong £50,000 Group Three Betfair Molecomb Stakes which has attracted 18 entries, among them Spirit Of Sharjah, trained by Julia Feilden, who ran third to Winker Watson in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 21.

Epsom Derby third Aqaleem is among 16 high class entries for the £50,000 Group Three Gordon Stakes, run over a mile and a half, while the £50,000 Bank Of Scotland Investment Services Handicap over 10 furlongs looks tremendously competitive with 39 horses entered.