GOODWOOD 15:05

Non Runners: WAR COMMAND (USA). Race Distance Adjustment: +10 yds

Time: 1m 41.75s

Just the 4 lined up in what was another Sussex Stakes billed as the ‘Duel on the Downs’, the latest renewal bringing together impressive Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner Kingman and the year older Toronado, who added a Queen Anne triumph on his reappearance to victory in this race 12 months earlier; in such a small field this was always likely to be tactical and the bare form clearly has its limitations, Joseph O’Brien on Darwin setting a very sedate tempo, the race developing into a 2f dash and producing closing sectionals usually associated with sprinters, the quartet separated by less than 3 lengths at the line; however, there was no hiding the sheer class of Kingman, the 3-y-o unleashing another devastating turn of foot to come from last to first inside the final furlong, such a burst the hallmark of a truly top-notch performer.

KINGMAN had shown his true colours when bouncing back from his 2000 Guineas defeat at both the Curragh and Royal Ascot, and came through his first test against older horses with his reputation enhanced, confirming himself a miler of the highest order, overcoming a brief scare to complete a Group-1 hat-trick, the margin of victory failing to reflect his superiority on the day; held up in touch off the slow gallop, Doyle was content to bide his time in the slipstream of his main rival, still holding onto his mount as Toronado struck for home inside the final 2f, allowing him first run as a result, and for a moment it looked as if he had conceded a decisive advantage, Kingman initially becoming unbalanced when asked to quicken approaching the final 1f, changing his legs noticeably, but once finding his stride the response was breathtaking, readily accelerating past a top-class colt in Toronado in the final 50 yds, one tap of the whip all that was needed to make sure; targets for the rest of the season look set to revolve around the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day with the possibility of an outing or two in between, and it would be a surprise were he to be beaten, proven on both good to firm and heavy going with the potential for a bigger performance granted a more favourable pace scenario.

TORONADO (IRE) arrived as the defending champion and had made the perfect start to his 4-y-o campaign by winning the Queen Anne, but was always going to find Kingman a much tougher nut to crack, especially in a tactical affair; in event he went down fighting, close up and going with zest on the girths of the leader, quickening on request to hit the front over 1f out but unable to stamp his authority on the race, a sitting duck for Kingman once he hit top gear and headed in the final 50 yds; visual impressions are that he has returned as good as ever and it will be interesting to see where connections go from here, as even with a bigger field/stronger pace it is hard to envisage him turning the tables on his younger rival, his owner and trainer also having Olympic Glory and Night of Thunder to consider respectively, so perhaps another try at 1¼m will be explored as it certainly wasn’t a lack of stamina that beat him on his previous attempt at the trip.

DARWIN (USA) appeared to excel himself back up in trip, though is flattered by his proximity to the front pair having enjoyed the run of the race; allowed to dictate at a modest pace, he attempted to quicken entering the final 2f but was immediately passed by Toronado, though it was encouraging to see him stick to his task under pressure, knuckling down better than on his previous start (went without headgear here), coming back at the runner-up at the line; is unlikely to get as close to the principals were they to meet again, his 6f speed very much an asset here, but he should remain competitive back at a slightly lower level.

OUTSTRIP had been comfortably dispatched by Kingman when third in the St James’s Palace and ran as well as could be expected; in touch, effort over 1f out, one paced; one blip in the Guineas aside he has proved consistent in his career to date, but is likely to need his sights lowering to resume winning ways.