Ribchester vs Churchill at Goodwood
Published:
Thrilling renewal of the Sussex Stakes
There’s plenty of top quality horse racing on offer from Goodwood on Wednesday, but the question on every punter’s lips going in to the day is – Ribchester or Churchill? Will the former live up to expectations, or the latter bounce back to form?
You can have your say on the winner of the Sussex Stakes at Coral, or any of Wednesday’s British and Irish horse racing. Why not take your chances on a big price accumulator? Our race-by-race selections should push a few winners your way, and we preview race of the day.
Straight shoot-out in the main event
Who is going to grab the bragging rights in the group one Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday? Due off at 3.35pm, we have a talented nine-runner field ready to battle it out over the one-mile trip, but the betting would have us believe it’s a straight shoot-out between Ribchester and Churchill. That’ll come as little surprise to punters, but separating the pair is no mean feat.
Traders at Coral HQ are pinning their hopes on Richard Fahey’s star colt Ribchester, and the four-year-old is a convincing favourite, currently trading around the 10/11 mark. There’s no doubt he’ll go off as jolly, with backers hoping support for his rival will see him ease to even money.
Ribchester arrives seeking a hat-trick of group one wins, following success at Newbury in the Lockinge and Queen Anne around Royal Ascot in June.
Churchill disappointed last time
Aidan O’Brien’s rep doesn’t boast the same impressive recent form, but it’ll be a brave punter who puts a line through his chances. The well-bred three-year-old suffered his first disappointment in a year, ending fourth at the St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot behind winner Barney Roy, despite going off an odds-on fav. Never in contention that day, supporters may think twice about going back in.
Churchill is a supremely talented horse however, as shown when winning seven races on the bounce, including the group one Irish 2000 Guineas, English 2000 Guineas, Dewhurst Stakes and Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.
Those who fancy an upset can get 7/4 on Ryan Moore’s ride, but it’s almost impossible to find fault with Ribchester, so we’re siding with the market. Agree? One for your midweek multiples, perhaps.
Goodwood selections
1.50 – Frederic
2.25 – On To Victory
3.00 – Havana Grey
3.35 – Ribchester
4.10 – Lamya
4.45 – White Chocolate
5.50 – War Glory
