Bets of the Day: Circus Maximus could be Too Darn Hot for his rivals

Circus Maximus can deliver Aidan O'Brien's sixth Sussex Stakes

15:35 Goodwood - Circus Maximus

This looks to be a cracking Sussex Stakes as the exceptionally well bred Circus Maximus renews his rivalry with last season's champion two-year-old Too Darn Hot, who got back to winning ways with an emphatic win in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville this month. Too Darn Hot leads the way in the market but prior to his victory in France he could only finish third to Circus Maximus in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Connections clearly though that Circus Maximus was more of a stayer, including when he finished sixth in the Derby. But the Aidan O'Brien runner was supplemented for the Royal Ascot race and once again connections have put the cash up to get him in, this time at a cost of £70,000. That to me is a clear indication that they fancy their chances of turning over the John Gosden charge.

I think he improved for the drop back to a mile, combined with the addition of first time blinkers, to land the Group 1 at Royal Ascot last time out. The headgear is retained today and he's got the beating of market leader Too Darn Hot on that running, so he looks good value to provide the O'Brien team with their sixth win in this race.

Maven can deliver Goodwood success for Wesley Ward

15:00 Goodwood - Maven

Maven is putting his unbeaten record on the line in this Group 3 sprint, but it does look like a good chance for him to go in again. This is the first time that prolific American trainer Wesley Ward has had a runner at Glorious Goodwood, but as this beautifully bred American Pharoah colt made all to land a French Group 3 last time out, I can see him delivering Wesley Ward's first winner at the track. That French form looks pretty good in the context of this race and with Frankie Dettori now aboard for the first time, he is surely the one to beat.

The market is favouring Liberty Beach but she is far too short for me. I know she has won three of her four starts to date and her only defeat was in the Group 2 Queen Mary, which is certainly no disgrace, and she arrives here on the back of an impressive Sandown Listed victory. But watching that race back, everything fell perfectly for her and I don't think she would want the ground to ease any further. I am happy to take her on with the American raider today especially at the prices.