The Qatar Sussex Stakes (3.10) at Goodwood on Wednesday features the first three home in the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, Galileo Gold, The Gurkha and Awtaad, who reoppose on identical terms. The Gurkha has since been turned over, at odds-on, in the Coral-Eclipse, over 1 mile 2 furlongs, at Sandown and, with the going at Goodwood likely to remain on the fast side of good, Galileo Gold (2/1) looks a worthy favourite to confirm the form.
In fact, Galileo Gold is the only one of the trio to have won on the prevailing good to firm going, with The Gurkha only having won on good or softer and Awtaad only having won on yielding or softer, so it would be no great surprise if the Paco Boy gelding increased his advantage over his nearest market rivals. Of course, he also takes on the older horses for the first time in his career, but he has 6lb and upwards in hand according to official ratings, not to mention his 8lb weight-for-age allowance, so he looks destined for the lion’s share of the £1,000,000 in guaranteed prize money.
Selection: Goodwood 3.10 Galileo Gold (2/1) to win