Remarkable Ribchester set for Sussex revenge

A lot has happened in the 12 months since Godolphin's Ribchester finished a close third in last year's G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Not only has the son of Iffraaj lived up to trainer Richard Fahey's claim that he is the best he has trained, the four-year-old has maintained a level of consistency in G1 races in a variety of countries that is quite remarkable.

Since the last 'Glorious' meeting, Ribchester has won three G1 mile races, firmly establishing himself as Europe's best in that specialist category.

"He is a horse, who is always exciting to ride," regular partner William Buick said of Ribchester. "You are always looking forward to the next opportunity to get aboard him. He is very, very good," the jockey added.

Following last year's narrow miss in the Sussex, Ribchester travelled to Deauville, where he landed the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois.

This year, he has looked stronger and better, with victories in the G1 Lockinge Stakes, as well as the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, providing proof of his class.

Now, all the pieces have fallen into place for him in this year's Sussex. 

Ribchester has drawn reasonably in gate 6 in the 9-runner field, with his pacemaker Toscanini starting from near the inside in gate 2.

In the Lockinge back in May, Toscanini missed the break, but this time, placed initially on the inside at a tight track such as Goodwood, he should be in the firing line in the early stages, which should help Ribchester in his quest to avenge last year's defeat.

The Ballydoyle stablemates, three-year-olds Churchill and Lancaster Bomber, can both perform better than they showed at Royal Ascot, while the French visitor Zelzal, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, will also pose a threat.

But, summing up, Ribchester and Buick have a great chance of giving Godolphin another G1 success at Glorious Goodwood.