Noverre set for Sussex outing

Noverre, disqualified from first place in the French 2000 Guineas for failing a post-race drugs test, is among 16 horses confirmed for the Stg£275,000 Champagne Lanson Sussex Stakes at Goodwood next Wednesday.

Godolphin`s sole entry in the Group One race over a mile lost the Poule d`Essai des Poulains earlier this week after testing positive for a banned substance which had been used to treat the three-year-old colt`s arthritis.

He is one of nine members of the Classic crop to stand their ground and he could face a re-match with his St James`s Palace Stakes conqueror Black Minnaloushe.

Aidan O`Brien`s Entenmann`s 2000 Guineas winner got the verdict at Royal Ascot by a neck.

Other runners from that race still in the Sussex are Olden Times (third), No Excuse Needed (fifth), Tamburlaine (seventh) and Darwin (last of 11).

O`Brien, who took the race last year with Giant`s Causeway, is leaving his options open by still having six possibles. They include two older horses in Bach and Mull Of Kintyre.

Bach finished third to Medicean in the Coral Eurobet Stakes at Sandown earlier this month with his stablemate Black Minnaloushe back in fifth.

With Medicean suffering a slight setback, Sir Michael Stoute is likely to rely on No Excuse Needed, who was unlucky in running at Royal Ascot on his seasonal debut.

Further spice to the contest could be added by the Sagitta 1000 Guineas heroine Ameerat, Michael Jarvis`s filly finished fifth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on her only start since her Newmarket Classic success.

The official going for the five-day Festival that starts on Tuesday is good to firm (watering).

Sussex Stakes: Arkadian Hero, Bach, Cape Town, Distant Music, Mull Of Kintyre, Nicobar, Golden Silca, Black Minnaloushe, Bonnard, Darwin, King Charlemagne, No Excuse Needed, Noverre, Olden Times, Tamburlaine, Ameerat (16).