It was a case of Canford can at Glorious Goodwood this afternoon as the Richard Hannon-trained Canford Cliffs got the better of Aidan O’Brien’s Rip Van Winkle in the Group One Sussex Stakes.
Jockey Richard Hughes adopted waiting tactics and sat motionless on the 4-6 favourite until the two-furlong pole, before asking his mount to unleash his trademark turn of foot.
Rip Van Winkle, ridden by British champion jockey Ryan Moore who was deputising for the suspended Johnny Murtagh, had no answer to the withering run of the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner as he went down by a neck.
With Beacon Lodge withdrawn on the morning of the race, only seven went to post - with three trained by O'Brien.
Despite the eclipse of Derby winner Workforce at the weekend, the punters ploughed into Hannon's three-year-old, but Hughes will have given them a few anxious moments as he gave his mount plenty to do.
But with three lengths to make up on Rip Van Winkle inside the final furlong, he quickened up like only top-class animals can to score in great style.
Premio Loco got the better of Beethoven in the battle for third.
Hannon admitted afterwards: ‘I was a little worried at the gates as he took him (Hughes) back leaving the stalls, but he was soon in a good position.
‘The way he has improved has been unreal. Richard rode him in work the other morning and said he had come on 7lb from Ascot.
‘He picked up again going to the line and he was very impressive.
‘I think he will be even better on a good galloping track like the Curragh.
‘The QEII and the Jacques le Marios are obvious races but if we can get a deal done with a stud for them to allow us to race him next year I will be happy to finish him now for the season as he has won three Group Ones.
‘If we can keep him then I think he will be an awesome horse next year.’
Hughes added: ‘He's a superstar. He's improved by 10lb and he actually ran a bit rusty there, he never got into full flight.
‘I didn't want them to half-jump because we were downhill, so I missed the break completely because there were only seven of us and I could get him in behind.
‘We weren't going that fast - the pacemaker was, we weren't.
‘Rip Van Winkle nicked a length out of me, but I know how good he is.
‘My horse pricked his ears in the last 100 yards and was in command.’
O'Brien said of the runner-up: ‘He was a bit further back than we wanted him to be for Ascot and obviously we hoped that he would progress for it, and there was lovely progression there.
‘This year we decided to go steady early and progress as the year went on as last year his form tailed off a little as he had a tough early part of the season so we've decided to go gently.
‘We were a little bit further back than we wanted to be at Ascot.
‘He could run over a mile, 10 furlongs or even 12 - all those race are open to him as he's very versatile.
‘He travels very well and quickens very well but he just got a little bit tired in the last half furlong.
‘York (Juddmonte International) is a possibility. Usually after these races we sit down and if the horse is OK we make a plan and hopefully pick the right target.’
Chris Wall said of the third home, Premio Loco: ‘He's been placed again and beaten by two very good horses.
‘It was worth the run - the owner has got his money back with interest for adding the horse to the race, and Dream Eater looked to be as far behind him as he was at Ascot last time so he has run to form.
‘It's very hard to win a Group One and it was either this or wait for the QEII, but the ground might have gone then.
‘He probably needs a short break, then he has options in Germany or maybe to come back here for the Celebration Mile.’
