O'Brien's Strong Contenders Set for Sussex Stakes Showdown

Aidan O'Brien has very much left his options open for the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday, with the Ballydoyle handler still holding up to five options in the Group 1 feature.

They are headed by Henri Matisse the French 2,000 Guineas winner, who could try his luck against Royal Ascot conqueror Field Of Gold once more.

Henri Matisse heads 11 possible Sussex contenders with Field Of Gold the hot favourite following his St James's Palace Stakes triumph at Royal Ascot.

Ballydoyle quintet still in Sussex mix

O'Brien has won the Sussex Stakes in the past with the likes of Giant's Causeway, Rock Of Gibraltar, Henrythenavigator, Rip Van Winkle, The Gurkha and Paddington.

He's got a five-strong team still in the mix at the entry stage, headed by French Guineas winner Henri Matisse.

The Wootton Bassett colt was second to Field Of Gold last month at Royal Ascot and seemingly will need to raise his game considerably to turn around that three-and-a-half-length defeat.

The Ballydoyle trainer has also left in The Lion In Winter Diego Velazquez Serengeti and Exactly

The Lion In Winter was last spotted finishing third in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville earlier this month following his lacklustre efforts in the Dante at York and the Epsom Derby.

O'Brien is the only Irish trainer to win the Sussex Stakes this century and, once more, the hopes of a nation rest with him.

Omni Man on course for opener

Meanwhile Joseph O'Brien's well touted Omni Man could be set for the day’s opener at Goodwood, the Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap.

The three-year-old was a winner of a Roscommon maiden in May over 1m2½f and ran a pleasing race when fifth since in the King George V Stakes over further at Royal Ascot from an opening mark of 90. There could be plenty more to come from him on his fifth start.

Moore to partner Lady Iman

Colin Keane is suspended for Goodwood and it looks as though Ryan Moore could be the beneficiary as he is slotted to partner Lady Imam for Ger Lyons in the Molecomb Stakes.

The filly won her first three starts on home soil before giving best to Beautify in the Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh over 6f in June.

That was a decent effort behind that promising Moore-ridden filly and, with Keane MIA, Lyons has wasted no time snapping up the top rider as O'Brien is without a contender in this Group 3 contest over 5f.

Further Irish interests in the Molecomb could come from the Eddie & Patricia Harty-trained Arugam Bay.

The Soldier's Call filly has landed back-to-back wins at Fairyhouse and Tipperary, latterly in a Listed race over 5f, and could be ready for this step up in class.

O'Callaghan's pair in Keppel contention

The Keppel Fillies' Conditions Stakes over the flying five at Goodwood is a valuable event, with more than £38k for the winner, and trainer Michael O'Callaghan has two possible options in Luna Mia and Radical Love.

Luna Mia was fourth behind the aforementioned Beautify and Lady Iman at the Curragh in June on second start and should find this appreciably easier.

Radical Love doubles up for owner Eleanora Kennedy and is yet to be spotted on the racecourse, and the €62,000 daughter of Galileo Gold would be an interesting runner, if taking up her entry.