Three-year-olds have largely dominated the G1 Qatar Sussex S. in recent times and many will expect that trend to continue on Wednesday with the jewel of the Qatar Goodwood Festival attracting John and Tanya Gunther's unbeaten G1 St James's Palace S. hero Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}). There are differing messages from his form so far, with those closest to him on his last three starts being the Britannia H. winner Ostilio (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), Sunday's Listed Pomfret S. disappointment Gabr (GB) (Intello {Ger}) and Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who seemingly failed to move forward when third in the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville on July 8. In the St James's Palace, there was a half-length between him and the latter but he was forced to take up the running a long way out and is perhaps value for a greater degree of superiority.
“Without Parole is in great form and has been working nicely,” trainer John Gosden said. “There is no doubt that he is progressing all the time and is a horse that will get further in time.”
The thorn in Without Parole's side may be Khalid Abdullah's Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}), who seized ante-post favouritism for the 2,000 Guineas when dominant in the G2 Vintage S. here 12 months ago. Stalls issues and a tendency to over-race curtailed his progression thereafter, but in a vintage season for Sir Michael Stoute he has been cajoled back to his best and was one of Royal Ascot's most impressive winners in the seven-furlong G3 Jersey S. June 20. There is a stamina issue and he bids to become the first winner of the Jersey to prevail here in the same season since Proclamation (Ire) (King's Best) in 2005. “We've always felt he was a horse with huge potential,” Juddmonte's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said. “He's only had one run over a mile once before, in the 2000 Guineas, and I think we can forgive him that.”
With no line to the older milers, this race will answer some questions with the July 14 G2 Summer Mile one-two Beat the Bank (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) and Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) joined by last year's Sussex third and G2 Celebration Mile scorer Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). The latter was runner-up in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury on May 19 and third in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot on June 19 and is the standard-bearer on that form. “This horse needs to win a Group 1 because he's the most beautiful physical specimen with a good temperament and the pedigree,” jockey Oisin Murphy said of Lightning Spear. “He's been freshened up since Ascot and is in super order. As he gets older, he's not losing any ability.”
Andre Fabre sends across Prince Faisal's July 1 Listed Prix de Saint-Patrick scorer Orbaan (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who has the most improvement to find but the owner's racing manager Ted Voute is happy he is in the right place. “Andre Fabre has always thought highly of him and he was entered up in Group 1 contests earlier in the year but each time he could have run, the ground would not have been to his liking. Andre Fabre told me that the horse worked very well during his latest piece of work,” he explained. “It is a big leap from winning a listed race in France to the Sussex S., but there are not many opportunities for him. We thought that there would only be eight or nine runners in the Sussex S. and both Prince Faisal and Andre Fabre wanted to take a chance and see what happens.”
Soldier Takes On Molecomb Assignment…
In the G3 Markel Insurance Molecomb S. at Ascot, all eyes will be on the June 23 Listed Windsor Castle S. winner Soldier's Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). “He's been in great form since Ascot and we always felt a quick five furlongs at Goodwood should suit him well,” trainer Archie Watson commented. “I never worry too much about ground until a horse has proven he can't act on very fast or very slow ground. I'm sure the track needed the rain they had over the weekend, it sounds like the ground will be on the quick side of good and that would suit us fine.”
He faces the June 21 G2 Norfolk S. fourth Rumble Inthejungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), while the ninth in that Royal Ascot speed test Vintage Brut (GB) (Dick Turpin {Ire}) bids to get back on track having looked smart when taking the Listed National S. at Sandown on May 24. Rumble Inthejungle's trainer Richard Spencer said, “You'd like to think with Ascot only being his second run that he will have learned plenty there. He won on very fast ground at Salisbury, it was pretty quick at Ascot and I think the ground is just going to be good on Wednesday, so that shouldn't be a problem.”
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