Goodwood Rip ride for top jockey Moore
RYAN MOORE will ride Rip van Winkle in his bid for back-to-back victories in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood tomorrow.
The three-time champion jockey takes the reigns of the Galileo colt as he looks to emulate his Group One success of 12 months ago.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old was rated the second best miler in the world behind Goldikova at the time, but has failed to recreate that form so far this term after a disappointing run at Royal Ascot.
But with Moore on board, in the absence of the suspended Johnny Murtagh, O’Brien is confident Rip van Winkle will rediscover his winning formula.
Standing in his way, however, is Richard Hannon’s Canford Cliffs, who is bidding for a
third straight Group One success after triumphing in the Irish 2000 Guineas and St
James’s Palace Stakes, while Premio Loco steps up to Group One status for the first time
after an impressive run at Ascot.
Meanwhile, trainer Clive Cox believes Balthazaar’s Gift will relish the return to seven furlongs in this afternoon’s Betfair Cup.
The seven-year-old ran brilliantly to finish a half-a-length second to Finjaan in this race 12 months ago and followed that up with an impressive win in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
But due to a lack of opportunities, he has been forced to revert to six furlongs so far this
term and although he has struggled for pace at the shorter distance, Cox is happy with his condition.
“We’re delighted to get him back to seven furlongs,” he said. “He’s run creditably over
six furlongs but seven furlongs is his ideal trip. He ran a super race here last year and I’m very happy that he’s in good nick.”