Glorious Goodwood 2011 - Sussex Stakes

3.10 Goodwood

Qipco Sussex Stakes (British Champions' Series) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £170,130

Pick: Frankel (win)

Canford Cliffs: Fulfilled early promise last season when confirming himself a top class miler with Group 1 hat – trick, the highlight a stunning success in the Sussex Stakes (kept under wraps for 4yo career after that) & made an excellent seasonal return when cosy winner of Lockinge Stakes; Career best when beating champion mare Goldikova in Queen Anne Stakes last time out and will make bold bid to retain title.

Rajasman: Progressive through last year and continued that improvement last winter, with fourth in big Asian Group 1; Unsuccessful spell in Dubai, but used that to his advantage when just outrunning Byword late on in Group 2 Prix Du Muget and career best when third (behind Goldikova, on her seasonal debut); Can run with credit but unlikely to trouble either of big two.

Rio De La Plata: Looked like a potentially immense horse when landing National and Prix Jean Luc Stakes as a 2 year old, before injury curtailed plans; First successful season since when landing 4 out of his eight races last year, the highlight of which was an Italian Group 1 double after his Prix Du Moulin second; Improved on return when third in Queen Anne but won’t trouble Canford Cliffs on that basis.

Frankel: Champion 2yo, stamping his authority on quality fields at Doncaster and over C&D in Royal Lodge Stakes; Two main rivals didn’t show up but still cemented his claims as a Champion in Dewhurst,  (subsequent Group 1 winner well behind); Impressive despite pulling on seasonal debut in Greenham (Excelebration held) but produced one of most memorable classic performances in recent times when slaughtering his Guineas opponents, 15 lengths clear at half way and never in danger; Sent for home fully four furlongs out in St James’s Palace but tied up late on, meaning margin was unflattering; This one of toughest tests but 3yo allowance just gives him the vote.

VERDICT: One of the match – ups of recent years, assuming everything goes to plan as we so cruelly learnt on Saturday. The 8lbs that FRANKEL gets from Canford Cliffs is only just enough to swing the vote, with the added bonus of his front running tactics being easy to impose on just three runners.