Sussex Stakes

Wednesday’s main event is the Sussex Stakes, with the seven runner field spearheaded by odds-on favourite Field Of Gold, who was a decisive winner of the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

John and Thady Gosden’s star performer will take on his elders for the first time in his quest for a third straight Group 1 success.

 

Sussex Stakes Runners Guide

Carl Spackler (Shane Foley) 33/1

Top-class miler in the states for Chad Brown, with three Grade 1 wins to his name and was successful on his reappearance in April. Wasn’t disgraced when sixth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot but has work to do if he’s to pose a threat to the big two in the market.

Docklands (Tom Marquand) 22/1

Saves his best form for Ascot and marginally edged out Rosallion in a titanic tussle in the Queen Anne Stakes last time out. It remains to be seen if he can back that up away from his beloved course though. Marquand catches the eye in the saddle so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on.

Qirat (Richard Kingscote) 150/1

One of the outsiders of the field and rightfully so given he has plenty to find on form and ratings. He did record two course wins in handicaps last year but he’s probably going to be used as a pacemaker for Field Of Gold and looks out of his depth.

 

Rosallion (Sean Levey) 5/1

High-class candidate who finished runner-up in the 2000 Guineas before going one better in the Irish version and then following up in the St James’s Palace Stakes. He reappeared with a fine third in the Lockinge Stakes and was narrowly denied by Docklands in the Queen Anne Stakes last time out. He’s rated 6lb inferior to Field Of Gold but looks the biggest danger.

Field Of Gold (William Buick) 2/5

Has made giant strides this season and made amends for his narrow 2000 Guineas defeat with wins in the Irish Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes when proving too strong for Henri Matisse. Will be taking on his elders but is clear of the field on ratings and has every chance of making it a hat trick of wins at this level. The one to beat.

Henri Matisse (Ryan Moore) 15/2

Multiple wins in Group 1 company, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and also claimed the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp. He proved no match for Field Of Gold last time out though, so he’s going to need to raise his game significantly to reverse the form. He won’t go down without a fight though and should be thereabouts.

Serengeti (Wayne Lordan) 200/1

Impossible to fancy. Likely to ensure this race is run at a true pace to help stablemate Henri Matisse. Opposed.

 

Sussex Stakes Goodwood Tips & Prediction

FIELD OF GOLD is very short in the betting but should be able to win again.

He was very impressive at Royal Ascot last time out and it’s hard to pick holes in him with even more to come.

William Buick can guide him to Group 1 glory, with Rosallion and Henri Matisse looking likely to fill the places.