15:35 Goodwood

Wednesday 1 August 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:55

Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 1m 39.89s

(3)

Beat The Bank¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: A M Balding| OR: 118| CD

9/2

Group 3 C&D winner at this meeting last year and seemingly still progressing, adding to his tally of Group races at Ascot last time having run well in a Group 1 at Royal Ascot previously. At his best when prominently ridden and has each-way claims.

Form: 110-061

(4)

Lightning Spear⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D M Simcock| OR: 119| CD

9/1

Dual C&D winner in Group 2 class. Career best effort when runner-up in the Lockinge and only beaten ¾L at Royal Ascot. Thriving at present and while he usually finds one too good at this level, this wouldn't be the strongest Group 1 on paper.

Form: 1660-23

(2)

Lord Glitters¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 115| BF| D

10/1

Highly progressive for this yard and unlucky not to have landed a big prize this campaign, runner-up in three valuable races including the Group 1 Queen Anne. Only narrowly denied by Beat The Bank last time and not ruled out if he handles the track.

Form: 212-222

(1)

So Beloved^e/s1¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 112| C| D

50/1

C&D winner in 2015. Not won since a 7f Listed success at Haydock at the start of the 2016 season but running well in defeat of late, including when second in a below par Group 2 at the Curragh last time; probably vulnerable again up at this level.

Form: 428220

(6)

Expert Eye⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 119| C

4/1

Won the Vintage Stakes here in 2017 and got his career firmly back on track with an impressive 7f success at Royal Ascot last time. Needs to be waited with and while a step up in trip didn't look an obvious move that day, he still has potential.

Form: 119-201

(5)

Gustav Klimt²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118

13/2

Group 2 winner at Newmarket in 2017 but hasn't quite fulfilled his potential this year. Placed multiple times in Group 1 races including a ½L defeat to Without Parole at Royal Ascot and may struggle to reverse form with that less exposed rival.

Form: 1-16323

(8)

Orbaan³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: A Fabre| OR: 105| D

16/1

Won a maiden at Maisons-Laffitte with this jockey and followed up in a Listed race at Saint-Cloud. While that form is nothing special, he's less exposed than most and trainer's runners worthy of respect when sent over to these shores.

Form: 211

(7)

Without Parole⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 119| D

7/4

Unbeaten in four starts and particularly impressive last time in the St James's Palace (Group 1) when he had Gustav Klimt back in second. Would have won by further if he hadn't have been left in front too soon and there's still more to come.

Form: 1-111

Forecasts

Without Parole (7/4), Expert Eye (4/1), Beat The Bank (9/2), Gustav Klimt (13/2), Lightning Spear (9/1), Lord Glitters (10/1), Orbaan (16/1), So Beloved (50/1)

The miling division isn't at it's strongest at present and rising star WITHOUT PAROLE may be able to take advantage and maintain his unbeaten record after his Group 1 success at Royal Ascot last time. Expert Eye wouldn't be the most straightforward sort but he could hardly have been more impressive at the Royal meeting himself and he's an interesting runner if he can handle the step back up to this trip. From the older horses, Lightning Spear has been in good form this year and often makes his presence felt at this level, with course form on his side, he may prove best of the rest.