Noverre to boost Godolphin Noverre can give Godolphin a boost at the highest level by proving a champion over a mile with victory in the Stg£275,000 Champagne Lanson Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood tomorrow. It would be a timely tonic with the defeat of Fantastic Light in the King George at Ascot by the brilliant Galileo still fresh in their mind. Godolphin have only picked up three Group One successes so far this season and had their only Classic triumph taken away from them when Noverre lost the French 2000 Guineas after testing positive for a prohibitive substance which had been used to treat his arthritis. Despite that health worry, Noverre is as tough as old boots on the track as he showed on his latest start at Royal Ascot. He looked like grabbing the Group One St James`s Palace Stakes, but was collared in the dying strides by Black Minnaloushe and beaten a neck. This course will suit Noverre better and he can turn the tables on Aidan O`Brien`s runner as well as defeat the best of the older horses in Distant Music. Sir Michael Stoute saddled his Sussex Stakes hope No Excuse Needed to win the Champagne Lanson Vintage Stakes 12 months ago and can repeat the trick with Bragadino. The son of 1989 Sussex Stakes hero Zilzal created a big impression on his debut when beating Continuously by one and a half lengths at Sandown. And the runner-up franked the form by winning at Newmarket on Sunday. Bragadino has been the subject of good reports on the Newmarket gallops since that success and looks the one to beat in this Group Three event over seven furlongs. Gracilis can give North Yorkshire trainer Alan Swinbank his first winner at the Sussex track with his first runner in the Marriott Hotels Goodwood Stakes. The four-year-old stayer has won his last four starts and could still be one step ahead of the handicapper. A convincing winner from King Flyer at Sandown three weeks ago, he will relish every yard of this two miles, five furlongs. The Tote Gold Trophy (Showcase Handicap) looks a tricky contest to solve but Luca Cumani could provide a surprise package in Halcyon Daze. This late-developing filly by Halling was weak as a two-year-old and is only just coming to herself. But she showed when opening her account at Yarmouth last Tuesday by three-quarters of a length from Sanadja that she could be the type to make dramatic improvement. And despite a 4lb penalty for that win, she is still at the right end of the handicap. Denise Margaret appeared to be given the job of pacemaker for runner-up Man O`Mystery in the John Smith`s Cup and she did it admirably for she took the field along at a merry gallop from her poor outside draw. She stuck to her task when headed and still managed to finish sixth of the 19 less than six lengths behind the winner Foreign Affairs. Jeremy Noseda`s filly may not have to set her own pace tomorrow, but this shorter trip will suit. It is a brave man who opposes David Nicholls in sprint handicaps and the Thirsk trainer looks to have the answer to the Charlton Stakes in Sailing Shoes. Nicholls, who saddled Zuhair to take this last summer, bought the five-year-old out of Richard Hannon`s yard for 6,500 guineas at the end of last season. The five-year-old finally rewarded his new connections with a win at Sandown last Wednesday and looks capable of following up under a 7lb penalty.
