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

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 47.16s

(2)

Aldaary¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 114| BF| D

15/2

Very smart handicapper in 2021, winning brace of big-field contests at Ascot. Listed winner sole start in 2022 but not in the same form both outings upon return in July and this no easy race to bounce back in.

Form: 711/1-42

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(5)

Facteur Cheval⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: M Guyon| T: J Reynier| OR: 113| D

11/1

Progressive 3-y-o, culminating with Group 3 Prix Perth success at Saint-Cloud. Ran right up to form all 3 starts this spring, third of 6 in a bunched finish tackling Group 1 company for the first time at Longchamp in May (9.2f). This asks another question.

Form: 241-323

(6)

Inspiral⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 120| D

5/1

Very smart filly who cast aside a shock reversal in the Falmouth with a ready success in Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville last summer. Cracking reappearance when second in the Queen Anne, outpointed close home and this previous Goup 1 winner against the males is the obvious threat to Paddington.

Form: 1/1216-2

(1)

Charyn²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 115

40/1

Smart colt who excelled himself when hitting the frame in the Irish Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes, both won by Paddington. Made no impression dropped to 7f in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville 3 weeks ago and while the return to 1m will suit, he's very likely to come up short.

Form: 1-28438

(4)

Paddington²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 125| D

4/9

Superbly campaigned and has developed into the leading 3-y-o, running out a decisive winner of the St James's Palace Stakes before edging out a high-class mare in Emily Upjohn taking on his elders for the first time in the Eclipse Stakes. Return to 1m no issue and he holds outstanding claims.

Form: 1-11111

Non-Runners

(3)

Chindit⁴³

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: R Hannon J: P J Dobbs

Forecasts

Paddington (4/9), Inspiral (5/1), Aldaary (15/2), Facteur Cheval (11/1), Chindit (25/1), Charyn (40/1)

It's slightly surprising that Aidan O'Brien hasn't won this race since 2016 but in PADDINGTON he saddles a top-notch 3-y-o who is strongly fancied to complete a superb 6-timer in 2023. Inspiral is very smart in her own right and following an excellent reappearance run at Ascot she will hopefully ensure the selection is made to work for it.