SHIKARI'S Son is the pick to repeat last year's success in the Vodac Stewards' Cup as Glorious Goodwood reaches its climax today.
With a maximum field of 30 going to post, punters will be reaching for the aspirin in a bid to stave off the headache that selecting the winner of the week's major betting event can bring.
Although always one of the most open races on the calendar, the six furlong dash has rarely produced such a shock victory as the one 40 to 1 outsider Shikari's Son gained over the well backed favourite Top Banana last year.
The silence was deafening as the eight year old, the first from that age group to land the £75,000 added event, charged through from last to first to thwart his 26 rivals. That despite his jockey Richard Hughes carrying 4lb overweight.
Since then little has been seen of the Kala Shikari gelding who left John White's Wendover yard to be trained by newcomer John Cullinan.
As racing adviser to owner Alan Spargo, Cullinan has always been involved with Shikari's Son and the Aylesbury farmer has mapped out the campaign to return the gelding to the Goodwood winner's enclosure.
After an early season campaign which saw little reward it looked a forlorn task but Shikari Son's last two outings have thrown a lifeline to Cullinan's hopes.
At the beginning of last month Spargo's black and red colours were noted making late headway before finishing a five and a quarter length fifth to Golden Pound.
And 10 days later at York Shikari's Son confirmed his improved run was no flash in the pan by getting within four and three quarter lengths of Double Splendour, again finishing filth.
That run off a mark of 81 caused the handicapper to raise him 3lb for today's event but allowing for the 4lb overweight carried last year a mark 8lb lower than when gaining that success looks very enticing indeed.
It was back in the late Sixties that Sky Diver became the last horse to win back to back Stewards' Cups. Shikari's Son can repeat the feat at a decent price.
The Group Two Vodafone Nassau Stakes looks to be within the grasp of Last Second.
Sir Mark Prescott's filly was fancied for Royal Ascot's Group One Coronation Stakes and that popularity was illustrated by the drop from 33 to 1 to 12 to n the market price on her seasonal bow.
The daughter of Alzao gave her backers a good run for their money too running a cracker to get within a neck of French filly Shake The Yoke.
Waiting tactics were employed that day and a similar effort tomorrow will suffice.
