A thrilling (and strongly-run) renewal of the Sussex Stakes, with the Classic generation proving themselves to be quite a good pair of milers. BOW ECHO defied challenging circumstances to come out on top again, even if it seemed unlikely for much of the straight. By the line, after an exhilarating burst of acceleration late on, he was actually half a length to the good, although value for a little more than that. Opera Ballo a further length and three quarters away in third gives this form real substance.
maintained his unbeaten record here. If Newmarket was dominant and Ascot was tough, then this was the day he showed that push button acceleration to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. He had nowhere to go as the race developed, but he saw daylight just in time to allow his brilliance to get him there.
is a very good miler in his own right and just unlucky to have bumped into a better one in his generation. He accounted for Opera Ballo rather easily here as he moved by him inside the final furlong, but his heart was broken once more by the late thrust from Bow Echo.
produced another good display, reversing form with Ten Bob Tony from Ascot as he used his energy more evenly. He still struggled a little late on and was certainly slowing, which may have made the others look like they were going quicker than they actually were. He could get closer under an even more efficient ride.
backed up his Ascot run to an extent here, even if Ascot form was reversed. This didn’t fall into his lap as much as last time and he had to earn it a bit more. He was a touch keen but still came home well to finish never-nearer than at the line, although unable to match Bow Echo late on.
shaped really well, having his first run since the Greenham at Newbury in April. He should improve for this run and was also better than the bare result, travelling well before encountering some traffic problems inside the final two furlongs. His tired finishing effort is forgivable in the circumstances.
had a good position on the inside of Bow Echo and moved towards the rail at the cutaway but faded in the final furlong.
couldn’t build on his Lennox success from the previous day. He travelled well at the cutaway but failed to get a run behind Never So Brave and Qirat who were weakening ahead of him.
travelled well to a point but faded after moving towards the rail after the cutaway.
raced close to the strong early pace set by Dorset and paid the price late on as he weakened out of it from outside the furlong pole.
was a little keen but just didn’t see this out against this quality of opposition. Softer ground may have helped but he probably needs a lower level to be competitive.
raced alongside his stablemate but couldn’t sustain his effort in the straight as the race developed.
set a strong pace in the first half of the race before weakening in the final three furlongs.
