 Rip van Winkle disappointed in the Eclipse but bounced back on day two |
Rip Van Winkle finally lived up to the hype as he produced an authoritative display to win the BGC Sussex Stakes on day two of Glorious Goodwood. Johnny Murtagh was seen at his magical best on the three-year-old, kicking on a long way off on the 6-4 favourite. Having finished second to Sea The Stars in the Eclipse, Aidan O'Brien's charge comfortably saw off Paco Boy, with 1000 Guineas winner Ghanaati back in third. The horse was only cleared to ride on Wednesday after an injury scare. Fourth in the 2000 Guineas and the Derby, the Galileo colt produced a strong finish to take the initiative after Ballydoyle pacemaker Malibu Bay weakened three furlongs out. Ghanaati and Lord Shanakill were first to challenge but made no impression, although Richard Hughes still had not moved a muscle on Queen Anne winner Paco Boy.  | 606: DEBATE Our Vic / Mastercraftsman - Happy now? |
The task of trying to concede 8lb to Rip Van Winkle proved too much, however, as he closed to within two and a half lengths but never looked like denying O'Brien his fourth win in the race. "I said he was one of the best I'd ridden and he's shown he's a great horse," said Murtagh. "At the start of the year I thought he was going to be unbeatable. He's not the easiest to train (but) he will be very hard to beat from now to the end of the season." And O'Brien could barely contain his excitement after watching the horse go from "lame" to winner. "He was 10 out of 10 lame yesterday evening," he said. "It's unbelievable. "He is an amazing horse. It's all class with this horse, all cruise and speed. We've never had a horse with that much class." Elsewhere, the fast-finishing favourite Xtension won the Vintage Stakes, ahead of Mata Keranjang and Corporal Maddox. However, well-backed Braveheart Move finished down the field in the UK Heritage Handicap, Classic Vintage winning from State Banquet and Becausewecan.
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