Star milers headline Sussex Stakes entries

Classic victors dominate the entries for the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, with this season’s English, Irish, French and German 2000 Guineas all featuring in the July 31 event.

The unbeaten Notable Speech triumphed at Newmarket for Charlie Appleby, beating Richard Hannon’s Rosallion, who duly gained compensation when triumphing at the Curragh on Saturday, narrowly beating stablemate Haatem who is another Sussex contender.

Metropolitan won the Poule d’Essai des Poulains for Marco Baratti and he could represent the French Classic generation, while the David Menuisier-trained Devil’s Point made all to take the Group Two German 2000 Guineas last week.

The three-year-old entry numbers a clutch of Aidan O’Brien-trained runners, including Irish 1,000 Guineas third and fourth Opera Singer and Buttons, Irish 2,000 third Unquestionable and Henry Longfellow, who disappointed as favourite behind Metropolitan at ParisLongchamp.

A total of 39 horses are in the race, with Inspiral and Facteur Cheval two of the key older performers in what is the first European all-aged Group One mile clash of the season.

Inspiral suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of fellow John and Thady Gosden-trained runner Audience on her reappearance in the Lockinge and the two could clash again at Goodwood for owners Cheveley Park Stud. The three-year-old Lead Artist, who was a winner at York, is an intriguing possible for the Clarehaven team.

Facteur Cheval was last seen when winning the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March and his trainer also has a second string to his bow in Lazzat, who is undefeated in four career starts.

Deirdre provided Japan with a Goodwood Festival win back in 2019 when landing the Nassau Stakes and there could be a Japanese runner this year with the Yasutoshi Ikee-trained Soul Rush.

The six-year-old was narrowly beaten in the Mile Championship at Kyoto racecourse back in November and recently won on his return at Group Two level there ahead of this weekend’s Grade One Yasuda Kinen.