Fahey mob-handed for Stewards' but Enact is a Stoute opponent

The consistent Knot In Wood heads Richard Fahey's five-strong team as the North Yorkshire trainer bids to win one of the sprint highlights of the year - the Bluesq.com Stewards' Cup - for a first time at Goodwood this afternoon.

Knot In Wood is burdened with top weight as he tries to improve on his three previous appearances in the race which have seen him finish third twice and sixth.

Last Saturday's Ascot winner Castles In The Air, Kaldoun Kingdom, Johannes and Prime Exhibit complete the Fahey nap-hand. "They are all in good order. I don't know how Paul (Hanagan) picked one to be honest, but he's decided on Castles In The Air," said Fahey. "Tony Hamilton was meant to come and ride Johannes but I couldn't get anyone else to ride up north so we've put Martin Lane on him and claimed off the rest. All the lads we are using are good, Dale Swift (Prime Exhibit), Lee Topliss (Kaldoun Kingdom), Barry (McHugh, Knot In Wood), we are lucky that we have a lot of good ones to chose from. Knot In Wood is a star and if he was to finally win it I'm sure no one would begrudge him, he keeps running well."

The highest drawn of Fahey's team is Prime Exhibit in 13, all the others are in single-figure stalls. Fahey added: "It could be a good draw. If low is favoured we'll be fine, but if the high numbers are favoured we could be in trouble."

The one that gets the vote is Sir Michael Stoute's consistent filly Enact. The Kyllachy filly has finished in the first three on each of her last five appearances and her fine second to Hawkeyethenoo on her reappearance at Newmarket suggested she is an improved horse this year. She is certain to strip fitter now, remains very much unexposed and has the assistance of champion jockey Ryan Moore.

William Knight relies on Palace Moon as the local trainer attempts to follow up his triumph with Illustrious Blue in Thursday's Goodwood Cup. "We've got a nice draw (20), he's in good order so I hope we have some luck," said the trainer.

Robin Bastiman landed this big sprint handicap with Borderlescott in 2006 and the Wetherby trainer tries with Singeur. The three-year-old scraped in as the last horse to make the cut in the maximum 28-runner field. "It looks like he's drawn with all the speedy horses (21), the favourites, and I think he'll run well," said Bastiman.

Richard Hannon has won the race twice, back in 1990 and 1991, and is represented by Edge Closer this time. "The Stewards' Cup is a lottery, but Edge Closer has run well this season after his breathing operation and he did not run at all badly in this race two years ago, so he deserves another crack," said the Marlborough trainer.

Tom Henry Cecil's star filly Midday looks to have an excellent opportunity of opening her account for the campaign as she bids to secure back-to-back wins in the Blue Square Nassau Stakes.

The highly-regarded Arcano has his sights lowered in the Conditions Stakes at Doncaster. An unbeaten juvenile campaign culminating in success in the Prix Morny at Deauville had connections dreaming of Classic glory, but he was ultimately well beaten by Dick Turpin and Canford Cliffs on his Newbury return. Subsequent results have shown that performance was not all that bad, of course, but Arcano never really threatened to land a blow and connections decided to bypass the 2000 Guineas. He has been given plenty of time off since then and may be in need of the run, but he should still prove a different class to these rivals if back on song.

In keeping with the theme of the night Hamilton Park has attractive fields for all six races at its most stylish fixture of the season this evening, Ladies' Night.

The showpiece five furlong sprint at 8.10pm - the 10,000 European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap Stakes - looks particularly strong and Gap Princess is napped.

Hazel Peplinski, Clerk of the Course, said: "For a Saturday evening when there is so much other racing around the UK, our card has held up really well. Last week's heavy rain has kept the going in great condition and trainers seem prepared to travel to Scotland in search of a bit of ease in the ground, with many of the southern tracks on the firm side. It should be a very good night's racing."

At Goodwood yesterday, Libranno pinged out and made all under leading Goodwood jockey Richard Hughes to take the Tanqueray Richmond Stakes.

Enjoying his sixth success this week, Hughes had to wake up the Richard Hannon two-year-old inside the final furlong to score by one and a quarter lengths to the William Haggas-trained The Paddyman.

The latter had been well backed at 4-1 and looked menacing with two furlongs remaining, but Hughes found plenty in front to the delight of the packed grandstands, returning as a warm 5-4 favourite.

Joseph Henry notched a Dandy Nicholls one-two by taking the Rolf Group Stewards' Sprint Handicap. Prominent throughout, the 28-1 shot scorched down the centre of the course battling with stablemate and joint-favourite Victoire De Lyphar throughout the final furlong, eventually prevailing to score by a head under David Probert. The 27-strong field initially split into three groups but ended up coming together for the final two furlongs where Wildcat Wizard and Tiddliwinks stayed on to fill the places, squashing any doubts over draw preference.