Sussex Stakes

Glorious Goodwood 3.20
Sussex Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £179,677

Pick: Rip Van Winkle

Beacon Lodge: Has reached new heights last season and was not disgraced when sixth in this last year; Hasn’t run as well this season, and despite coming back to best will probably find this all too much.

Dream Eater: Excellent 5th in 2,000 Guineas 2 years ago before then finishing 3rd in the Jersey Stakes, suffering a setback afterwards; Has continued to run some consistent races at decent level and also made good return last month; Ran career best when third in Queen Anne but put in place by resurgent Premio Loco in Summer Mile last time.

Mac Love: Has been rejuvenated by the Liddiard stable, and posted a personal best when landing 2 Group 3 races here and at Sailsbury last season; Has been injured since though, and this is a terribly tough task on his first run back.

Premio Loco: Notched up a Group 2 double last backend in Germany and has seemingly improved again this year based on his wins in the Criterion Stakes and Summer Mile (with Dream Eater behind); Supplemented for this and is no back up number.

Rip Van Winkle: Highly regarded horse who finally put it all together last season, when putting together string of high class efforts before romping away with this last year, beating Paco Boy solidly and used class to put him through QE11 Stakes, beating Zacinto; Not been seen at best on next 2 runs but excuses and one has feeling that he will be a lot better today.

Beethoven: Grew with every run last year, eventually winning the Dewhurst and was unlucky when shafted in Breeder’s Cup at first turn; Actually ran pretty well in St James’s Palace behind Canford Cliffs and may sneak a palace, as he should come on for the run a lot.

Canford Cliffs: Looked unbeatable when landing his maiden an impressed even more when trashing Coventry field, having pulled hard and gone clear; Didn’t run too badly when third behind Arcano in Morny last August and showed he still retained ability when finishing second in Greenham Stakes and third last time in 2,000 Guineas; Inability to settle lost him those races but penny has dropped and he has been brilliant when winning Irish Guineas and St James's Palace; Taking on older horses for first time but undoubtedly best of classic generation.

Encompassing: Pacemaker.

VERDICT: Canford Cliffs has stamped himself as a top-notch miler, at least amongst his own age group. However, RIP VAN WINKLE had even better form than him last year, and is worth taking having had the comeback run under his belt, when only dropping away in the last furlong of the Queen Anne Stakes. Premio Loco is well worth his place here, while Beethoven may be unfairly written off.