15:35 Goodwood

Wednesday 31 July 2019

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

Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:39 | Winning time: 1m 38.57s

(1)

Accidental Agent^p1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 115| D

33/1

Won the Queen Anne Stakes last year but blotted his copybook when refusing to race in this year's renewal. A slow start cost him at Ascot earlier this month and hardly one to rely on at present. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 105-3R4

(7)

Lord Glitters⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 117| D

6/1

Gained his first Group 1 success in the Queen Anne last time out and posted a respectable third in this race last year. Vulnerable to the less exposed sorts but usually thereabouts at this level and has solid place claims.

Form: 166-301

(8)

Zabeel Prince²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 117| D

20/1

Made it six wins from 10 starts in the Group 1 Prix D'Ispahan but he's looked somewhat flattered by that Group 1 success subsequently, well beaten in the Eclipse and at Royal Ascot. Needs improvement for the drop back in trip.

Form: 02-1178

(5)

I Can Fly¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| BF| D

14/1

Group 2 winner at Leopardstown last year and she pushed Roaring Lion close on Champions' Day at Ascot later that season. Hasn't been up to that level this season but might be able to pick up some place money if she gets a decent pace to aim at.

Form: 106233

(6)

Circus Maximus^b⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| D

9/2

Made it three wins from seven starts when dropped markedly in trip for the St James's Palace Stakes last time out (Too Darn Hot third). Could have more to give at 1m and he rates as the one to beat.

Form: 134-161

(2)

Happy Power³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 110| D

33/1

Group 3 winner at York earlier in the campaign but well beaten in lesser company than this at Royal Ascot and hard to make a case for up at Group 1 level for the first time.

Form: 31-1317

(4)

Phoenix Of Spain⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 120| D

11/2

Impressive when bolting up in the Irish Guineas at the Curragh in May and better than what he showed in the St James's Palace Stakes behind Too Darn Hot and Circus Maximus last time out. The easier mile should also suit and capable of going well.

Form: 1122-16

(3)

Too Darn Hot²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 121| D

1/1

Group 1 Dewhurst winner as a juvenile and gained a first win since in the Jean Prat at Deauville last time out having been previously tried at 1m and 1m2f. Step back up in trip not guaranteed to suit, particularly if rain makes it a stamina test.

Form: 11-2231

Forecasts

Too Darn Hot (1/1), Circus Maximus (9/2), Phoenix Of Spain (11/2), Lord Glitters (6/1), I Can Fly (14/1), Zabeel Prince (20/1), Happy Power (33/1), Accidental Agent (33/1)

The form of the St James's Palace Stakes looks solid and CIRCUS MAXIMUS could be hard to beat with the potential of more to come at one mile. Too Darn Hot is the obvious danger if he can see out this extra furlong after an impressive win over seven furlongs in France last time out. Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain is better than what he showed at Royal Ascot and he will benefit if this race turns into a test of stamina while similar can be said for the selections stablemate and sole filly in the line-up I Can Fly.