Rosallion will "probably" run in Sussex Stakes, says Hannon

Richard Hannon said on Wednesday that his star miler Rosallion will “probably” have his next run in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 30, although he could still head to France instead.

Last season’s Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace winner missed last year’s Sussex Stakes because of a late setback but is on course to make a belated appearance in the mile showpiece.

Standing in his way is likely to be Field Of Gold, winner of this season’s Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace. The pair remain among 26 still engaged after the latest confirmation stage, with Field Of Gold quoted at 8-13 and Rosallion on offer at 5-1.

Rosallion finished third in the Lockinge Stakes on his return before being touched off by Docklands in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.

Hannon said on Wednesday: “Rosallion is in great form. We aren’t 100 per cent sure where we are going to go. Probably the Sussex, but maybe the Prix Jacques Le Marois. It’s all ground dependent.

“He came out of his last race absolutely no problem at all. I think he thinks he won.”

Docklands, trained by Harry Eustace, is in line for a rematch on the Sussex Downs,  while Aidan O’Brien has left in Delacroix, The Lion In Winter, and Henri Matisse.  Facteur Cheval, trained in France, could return for a third attempt after placing in the past two editions. 

Nineteen remain in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on July 29 with the O’Brien-trained Illinois, runner-up in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the ante-post favourite at 13-8.

The Ballydoyle colt will aim to go one better this time, and with Trawlerman, his conqueror, not among the entries. 

John and Thady Gosden could instead be represented by including Sweet William, Military Academy, Palladium. And French Master. The last-named landed the Copper Horse Stakes Handicap at the Royal Meeting and is 5-1 second favourite. 

Joseph O'Brien still has Al Riffa engaged after his fine second in the Hardwicke Stakes behind Rebel’s Romance. He is quoted at 10-1.

O’Brien said: “He has the option of the Goodwood Cup, or else the Curragh Cup. He’s been training very well since he came out of the Hardwicke and we’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on as we step him up in distance.” 

Twenty-two remain in contention for the Qatar Nassau Stakes on July 31. 

See The Fire, above, trained by Andrew Balding, would be a fascinating contender after her third to Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Before that, she had been a runaway 12-length winner of the Middleton Stakes at York 

Balding said: “She had a little holiday after Ascot. We were very happy with her run at Ascot against the colts – those are top class performers in that category, so she did a great job.” 

See The Fire and Whirl are the 5-2 joint-favourites.