Rory Delargy returns with a look at Day 2 from Goodwood where @helynsar is gunning for Expert Eye in the Sussex Stakes
Four of the last six winners of the Molecomb have made all, and the ability to dominate, rather than simply race handily is important. Where one horse hasn’t been able to make early speed count, the winners have historically come from further back, but Kachy, who did that in 2015 is tactically versatile, and more than capable of blazing a trail at a high level. Horses who need six furlongs need not apply. Soldier’s Call is clearly the likeliest winner, and I’d not be keen to take him on, but only a Wes Ward bullet stopped Rumble Inthejungle from leading at Royal Ascot, and the Norfolk Stakes he was fourth in was a better race than the Windsor Castle won by Soldier’s Call, for all the latter produced the better effort strictly on the book. The selection has clearly been aimed at this race for some time, and the early battle between him and Archie Watson’s colt will be crucial. Both Watson and Rumble Inthejungle’s trainer Richard Spencer have shown themselves to be excellent handlers of speedy juveniles, and they ought to dominate. I can’t be confident that the selection will win the early battle, but I’m willing to take a chance at around 5.5.
Expert Eye will have his supporters after an impressive win in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, and will be racing on similar ground as when winning the Vintage Stakes here as a juvenile. That makes him look a major player, and it’s possible that he simply hates Newmarket, but his run in the 2000 Guineas seemed to confirm the suspicion that he is not a true stayer at a mile, and that is backed up both by his pedigree and his enthusiastic style of racing. He won’t win a Sussex Stakes unless he stays, and that is the primary concern over his chances here. It’s not the only worry, however, and not enough is made of the fact that the Jersey is a pretty mediocre contest in terms of class, for all it produced a thrilling spectacle. It also provided Expert Eye with the perfect opportunity to showcase his talent, and he was suited by the overly-strong pace set by Could It Be Love, with most of the principals coming from off those helter-skelter fractions. The third, who could be marked up for doing too much too soon, has failed to win in minor stakes company since, and there hasn’t been a single next-time winner to come from the race. Are we guilty of overrating the Jersey form? You bet we are.
Flavius Titus has won both his starts in big fields, and ran up to his best form when ¾-length second of 8 to Poet’s Society at Leicester last time. He appeals as being open to improvement after just a handful of starts in handicaps, and a draw in stall eight looks ideal, with scrimmaging possible on the inside, and high numbers historically struggling over this trip on quick ground, He’s worth backing win and place at attractive odds.
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