Sussex Stand Off

Ribchester | Scoop Dyga

While it is not quite of the dimension of the original “Duel On the Downs” between Frankel (GB) and Canford Cliffs (Ire) six years ago, Wednesday's renewal of the G1 Qatar Sussex S.-a Win and You're In qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile–features an intriguing generational clash between Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). While the former enters his first meeting with the current Classic brigade on a high after wins in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury on May 20 and the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot a month later, Churchill needs to prove his latest flop in the June 20 G1 St James's Palace S. an aberration. Ribchester occupies favouritism, having given the impression that he was merely playing with the opposition on his two starts so far this term and with trainer Richard Fahey certain he is still progressing. He could arguably be coming here in defence of a title had things fallen better for him when a fast-closing third behind The Gurkha (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) in this 12 months ago. Chasing Group 1 win number four, having also captured the Prix Jacques le Marois last August, Godolphin's flagbearer has nothing to prove.

Fahey is in bullish mood approaching the showdown. “I am growing more in confidence with him every time I see him work or race,” he said. “Ribchester is a very talented horse and we are very lucky to have him. I don't think there is an issue with the track or the ground. He goes on any going and I don't think that going round a bend at Goodwood will bother him. Ribchester was a little bit unlucky in the Sussex S. last year. He got himself into a position that didn't suit, with both the winner and the second getting first run, while he was also a little keen in the race. As he has matured, he has started to relax more. He relaxed in front in the Lockinge S. and relaxed in behind in the Queen Anne S. I just want him to turn up and perform–the one thing with Ribchester is that he never lets us down.”

After looking the best of his generation when bringing up the G1 English and Irish 2000 Guineas double at Newmarket on May 6 and at The Curragh three weeks later, Churchill was brought down to earth at the Royal meeting, where he was only fourth in the St James's Palace he started at 1-2 to garner. As usual, that race's runner-up Lancaster Bomber (War Front) is in attendance to aid his cause and run on his own merits and it will only be after the event that Churchill can be judged. O'Brien is still at a loss to explain the Royal Ascot performance and said, “He seems to be fine. Nothing came to light and it could have been the heat. That's racing, they don't always perform. His work has been good. Everything at home has always been good with him. We have been happy since Ascot and we are looking forward to running him again. We take it each race as it comes and all these races are competitive at this level. He is very well balanced and is a big, powerful, strong horse so the track should be fine.”

Al Shaqab Racing's Zelzal (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) has progression to find on his win in the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly last July and third in the G1 Prix du Moulin there in September, but as a member of the Jean-Claude Rouget stable that eventuality can never be ruled out. His comeback second in the G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil back at Chantilly on June 18 has been boosted by the subsequent exploits of the winner Taareef (Kitten's Joy) and Siyoushake (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) and the owner's racing manager Harry Herbert commented, “It was a pleasing return to action. Jean-Claude wanted him ridden like that, but he was simply given too much to do. It helped get him back in the right frame of mind, though, and this race has been his aim all season. We're not deluded, we know Ribchester and Churchill set the bar very high. Even though Zelzal was impressive in the Jean Prat, he'd still need to improve on that form. Nevertheless, Jean-Claude has always held him in high regard and he's a master at picking the right race for the horse.”

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