Features / Timeform / 29 July 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

Timeform share their perspective entries on the Sussex Stakes, in which two top-class performers went head to head...

"The 2010 Sussex Stakes highlights all that the race is meant to be, the stage for the first big clash of the generations in the miling division"

The 2010 Sussex Stakes highlights all that the race is meant to be, the stage for the first big clash of the generations in the miling division, and with the pair that dominated the market pulling clear with top-class performances, it's sure to live long as a vintage renewal; Encompassing was present as a pacemaker and ensured a good pace before Rip Van Winkle struck on around 2f out, Canford Cliffs coming from right out the back to underline that it was a fair test.

CANFORD CLIFFS made the next step in his development as he took the scalp of Rip Van Winkle with a top-class performance on this initial try against his elders, and there can now be no doubt that he's one of the very best milers around. Admittedly, Rip Van Winkle wasn't in quite the same formidable form as when winning this 12 months earlier, but Canford Cliffs beat him with something to spare, anyway, cruising up from rear in his typical style, Hughes unflapped even when the runner-up quickened clear briefly, and once shaken up he quickened sharply down the outside, grabbing the lead with 50 yards left and scoring cosily. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is likely to be his ultimate test (the Moulin was also mooted), with Goldikova and stablemate Paco Boy potential opponents, as well as Rip Van Winkle again, but he's more than capable of raising his game again, still to show his all.

RIP VAN WINKLE was an altogether different horse compared to Royal Ascot, in fine shape in the preliminaries this time, and he proved he's still a top-class colt, losing very little in defeat as he failed to concede 8 lb. The tactics were the same as in 2009, tracking the pacemaker and making his move earlier in an attempt to take the sting out of Canford Cliffs's finish, and it's testament to the winner's ability that he was unable to do so despite going around 2 lengths clear in the penultimate 1f. It's no secret that Rip Van Winkle hasn't been the easiest to train and, with that in mind, it's not inconceivable that he may come on a bit for this, ahead of the Juddmonte International at York next month.

PREMIO LOCO underlined how far he's come, but he's always likely to find this level beyond him, in Britain and Ireland at least, operating at his peak this day without being the remotest threat to a pair from the top drawer. His consistency will keep serving him well, though, and there are more good races to be won.

BEETHOVEN was successful in a substandard Dewhurst last year and has come up short at the highest level this season, this his best effort yet in terms of bare form, more or less holding his place in the last 2f despite hanging.

DREAM EATER's form and consistency have taken an upturn this season but he's being aimed too high, producing a very smart effort again here without getting involved, from the back of the field.

Tags: Beethoven, Canford Cliffs, Dream Eater, Premio Loco, Rip Van Winkle, Sussex, Timeform