Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood

The Group One Sussex Stakes over a mile at 16.05 CET is the feature race on the second day of Glorious Goodwood and usually the best race of the whole meeting. It is being billed again as the Duel on the Downs, with Dawn Approach (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) and Toronado (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) meeting for the third time. The former won the 2000 Guineas with Toronado below form, and there was only an Inch or two between them when he won again at Royal Ascot. Toronado was arguably unlucky that day, but Dawn Approach was also hampered, so it is by no means certain that Toronado would have won with a clear run. In any case this race in our eyes is not a "duel" as Declaration of War (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is also bang there with a chance. The way he won the Queen Anne was eye-catching, although he probably would not want any more rain. Both Bolger and O´Brien are running pacemakers here, so a strong pace is assured, and although Toronado is obviously very smart, we ex pect an Irish victory, most likely Dawn Approach.
The Group Two Vintage Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 16.40 is another good race and the Hannon/ Hughes team have another chance with Toormore, who won his only race in good style. However this is a much tougher event and we prefer Parbold (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) whose Royal Ascot second is clearly the best form in the race. Charlie Appleby had his first winner for Godolphin yesterday and his Outstrip (Michael Barzalona) could also come into the reckoning.
The third Group race on the Card is the Gordon Stakes for 3yo´s over 1 1/2 miles at 15.30, often an informative Trial for the St. Leger. That race is apparently the target for Excess Knowledge (John Gosden/ William Buick), and the Monsun colt, moving up in trip here, can win on his way to Doncaster. The Godolphin pair of Cap O´Rushes (Barzalona) and Secret Number (Silvestre de Sousa) look the main dangers.
Most of the jockeys will be moving on to Sandown´s evening Meeting, where the mile handicap for 3yo´s at 20.30 has attracted a good field for the money. We expect Frankel´s half-brother Morpheus (Lady Cecil/ Tom Queally) to complete a hat-trick here at the main expense of the Queen´s Sea Shanty (Hannon/ Hughes).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Broxbourne - Lieutenant Miller - Beyond Conceit
2. Race: Excess Knowledge - Elkaayed - Cap O`rushes
3. Race: Toronado - Dawn Approach - Declaration Of War
4. Race: Parbold - Toormore - Outstrip
5. Race: Much Promise - Autumn Sunrise - Valonia
6. Race: Ribbons - Close At Hand - Great Timing
7. Race: Magic City - Alejandro - Tidentime