Stradivarius in top form as he prepares to defend his Goodwood Cup crown on Tuesday

JOHN Gosden believes Stradivarius is up for the Cup at Goodwood. 

The top-class stayer is a red-hot favourite to win the Goodwood Cup for a second year in a row.

He lowered the colours of Big Orange to land the 2m feature 12 months ago under Andrea Atzeni.

The Italian rider will again be in the saddle on Tuesday with regular jockey Frankie Dettori suspended.

Having won the Yorkshire Cup and Gold Cup at Royal Ascot already this season, the colt is on course to earn his connections a massive payday.

If he can hit the target in the Goodwood Cup and follow up in the Lonsdale Cup at York next month, he will net a £1,000,000 bonus.

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The four-year-old is well-fancied at odds of 4-7 to get the first leg of the double up, and Gosden has been pleased with his preparation for the race.

Gosden said: “He won it last year on the first day and has done nothing but please us since he won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

“Going into these Cup races takes a lot out of horses, but he has had a nice gap between Ascot and Goodwood and I think that will help him in every way.”

Atzeni is a perfect 2-2 on Stradivarius, having also steered him home in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last summer, and he can’t wait to get back on the horse.

He said: “Most of the main stables have got their own jockeys and great spares like this are extremely hard to come by. It’s exciting to get the call and hopefully I’ll repay the faith.

“He was young, still quite narrow and a little bit weak this time last year. When I saw him in the paddock at York in May I hardly recognised him.

“He was a lot stronger and was much more the finished article – a completely different horse.

“He was very good that day and then very brave when winning the Gold Cup at Ascot. He’s the best stayer around and I’m delighted to be back on him.”

Torcedor (4-1) was a brave third to Stradivarius in the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting last month.

Jessica Harrington’s gelding will take on his old rival again, and his jockey Colm O’Donoghue is bullish heading into the rematch.

O’Donoghue said: “Our horse seems in great form. He came out of Ascot well and his last piece of work before going over was very good.

“I think the track will suit, he and Stradivarius are racing off level weights and there was only a length between them at Royal Ascot.

“I think it will be a good fight between the two of them again.”

The Queen’s horse Call To Mind (10-1) won a big race in the US on his last outing and is expected to give the market leaders a run for their money.

John Warren, the Queen’s racing manager, said: “Call To Mind has come out of the Belmont race very well and goes to Goodwood in great form.

“We have no particular ground fears and he won on firm ground at Belmont last time.

“We are hopeful of a good run as he is now really coming of age. He has matured into a fine horse.”

Dal Harraild (25-1), Idaho (8-1), Desert Skyline (16-1) and St Michel (25-1) complete the line-up.