Scrappy and glorious

By Lee McKenzie BBC Sport racing commentator

Who needs glorious weather to make Glorious Goodwood glorious?

The first four days of the 2003 festival brought gloomy skies, spells of rain and low cloud rather than the sunshine which we kid ourselves is the norm.

However, the absence of sunglasses and Panama hats did not affect the quality of the racing.

Persian Punch edged out Jardines Lookout in the Goodwood Cup Punch rocks pundits

And, amidst some of the most exciting finishes seen all year, Persian Punch stood out like a beacon on the downs.

The gallant ten-year-old has more miles on the clock than an old banger, but he still has the engine and constitution of a Land Rover.

His short-head victory over the unsung Jardines Lookout in the Goodwood Cup, in which he characteristically fought back after looking beaten, was one of those moments when you feel privileged to say "I was there".

Twenty-four hours earlier, racegoers had enjoyed one of the closest-ever climaxes to a Group 1 contest, when five horses scrapped out the finish of the prestigious Sussex Stakes.

The winner, Reel Buddy, shot from last to first in the final quarter-mile to give 51-year-old Pat Eddery an emotional success in his last season before retirement - plus a standing ovation from the crowd and his fellow riders.

The first-day highlight had been the victory of Nayyir in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes.

During the winter, when sent to run in a race in Hong Kong, he fell so ill that he nearly died

It is a miracle that he recovered well enough to resume his career at all, let alone win.

Lucky Story, who has a splendid pair of ears which suddenly point to the sky when he reaches the final furlong, looked a two-year-old with a future when winning the Champagne Stakes.

Some punters consider Goodwood to be the most unpredictable track in the country Goodwood course guide

He received generous-looking quotes of around 40-1 for the 2004 running of the 2,000 Guineas.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Reach, High Accolade and Hawk Flyer filled the first three places in the St Leger betting after battling out the closing stages of the Gordon Stakes - one of several rough races during the course of the week.

On several occasions, horses found their paths blocked in the home straight, or even worse, with some only just managing to stay on their feet.

The tendency for scrimmaging to occur explains why some punters consider Goodwood to be one of the most unpredictable tracks in the country.

Nonetheless, the result of the Stewards' Cup was relatively simple to foresee, even if the margin was not.

The well-backed Patavellian romped home on his own along the favoured far rail to win by a long-looking three-and-a-half lengths.

With the 1,000 Guineas winner Russian Rhythm extricating herself from a pocket to land the Group 1 Nassau Stakes, Saturday's closing card ensured the meeting ended with two more notable highlights.

But, when all is said and done, Persian Punch's heroics two days earlier had already stolen the show.