More Go For Cantor Odds Sussex Stakes

Goodwood, which yesterday received excellent fields for the opening day of the Festival Raceweek on Tuesday, is looking forwards to a cracking contest for Wednesday´s feature, Group One Cantor Odds Sussex Stakes.

Aidan O´Brien, Ireland´s champion trainer, revealed today that Antonius Pius will be in the line-up while Andrew Balding is due to be represented by Passing Glance.

These two join Refuse to Bend, Soviet Song, Haafhd, Nayyir, Tillerman and La Vie Dei Colori, among others, as likely runners for the exciting mile race.

Antonius Pius found six furlongs too short when seventh in the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket earlier this month and was previously a good third to Azamour in the Group One St James´s Palace Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot, having earlier been unlucky in the French 2,000 Guineas when colliding with the rail.

Passing Glance has been targeted at the Cantor Odds Sussex Stakes ever since the five-year-old won the Group Three Vodafone Diomed Stakes at Epsom over an extended mile on his seasonal debut.

Balding reported today that Passing Glance is working well and added: 'He has won at the course, was beaten a head there in the Celebration Mile last year and went down by the same margin in a Listed race as well.

'So Goodwood is his track and I hope he can perform well. I am really pleased with him but it is a tough race.'

Cantor Odds make Antonius Pius a 10/1 chance while Passing Glance is priced at 25/1. Refuse to Bend is the 9/4 favourite, with Soviet Song at 5/2 and Haafd at 3/1.

Brunel, owned by a syndicate of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, will miss the Cantor Odds Sussex Stakes and now be aimed at the French race, the Prix Maurice de Gheest, at Deauville.

But Harry Herbert, the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing managing director, explained that Fort and maybe Admiral will run at Goodwood on Wednesday in the £85,000 cantorodds.com Handicap over a mile and half.

He said: 'Both colts are in good form - Fort was second at Ascot yesterday and Admiral won at Royal Ascot - and we are hoping for the best.'

Goodwood continued with its extensive watering programme today, with the going continuing to be described as good with the round course being good, good to firm in places.