Night Of Thunder & Belardo Out For Sussex Success

Time/Date - 15.10hrs local time/Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Goodwood/UK
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m

Night Of Thunder and Belardo go for glory in one of Europe's top mile races, the Group One Qatar Sussex Stakes (Supported by Qatar Petroleum), which has £1 million in prize money at Goodwood on Wednesday, July 29.

Four-year-old Night Of Thunder (Richard Hannon/James Doyle) tries for a third Group One success over the trip following victories in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 16 and the Classic, the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, at Newmarket last year.

The son of Dubawi gained a six-length maiden success on his only previous start at Goodwood in 2013 and returns to the Sussex course after finishing fifth behind Solow in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes over a straight mile at Royal Ascot on June 16.

Belardo (Roger Varian/William Buick) was crowned Europe's champion two-year-old last season following a superb campaign that culminated with an impressive win on soft ground in the Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October.

The Lope De Vega colt has made two appearances so far this year, following up a disappointing effort on good to firm turf in the seven-furlong Group Three AON Greenham Stakes at Newbury on April 18 with a staying-on fourth in the mile Group One Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, Ireland, on May 23.

Richard Hannon commented: "Night of Thunder has four and three-quarter lengths to make up on Solow from Royal Ascot but our fellow ran better than his finishing position (fifth) suggests as he was still second at the furlong-pole but could not quicken up on that fast ground.

"Night of Thunder's chance has definitely increased with the weekend rain and that is why we have re-routed him from the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. While Solow will probably also appreciate this easier ground, this is another day and another track.

"We won six lengths here first time out as a two-year-old on soft ground and, taking the favourite out, we are the form horse."

Roger Varian said: "Belardo is in great form and the ground will be good which will be fine - any showers overnight will be welcome as he likes give in the ground.

"He is training well and will run a big race."

Night Of Thunder and Belardo line up against six rivals including Solow, Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes third Arod and Queen Anne Stakes third Cougar Mountain.

Godolphin has won the Sussex Stakes with Aljabr (1999), Noverre (2001) and Ramonti (2007).