COUNTDOWN TO GLORIOUS GOODWOOD JULY 27 - 31 2010

GOODWOOD RACECOURSE O’BRIEN KEEN ON SUSSEX STAKES DOUBLE WITH RIP VAN WINKLE



Last year’s winner RIP VAN WINKLE is on target to run in the feature race of Glorious Goodwood, the Group One Sussex Stakes, on Wednesday, July 28.



The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old was rated the second best miler in the world last year at 129, just behind Goldikova, after victories in the Sussex Stakes and Ascot’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.



Seamus Buckley, Goodwood’s Clerk of the Course, said: “I have spoken to Aidan VAN will come back to Goodwood and defend his Sussex Stakes crown.



“He is also keen to run LILLIE LANGTRY in the Blue Square Nassau Stakes, the other Group One contest at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday, July 31, while Ascot Gold Cup second AGE OF AQUARIUS is being aimed at the Artemis Goodwood Cup on Thursday, July 29.



“Thanks to recent rain, with seven millimetres in the last 24 hours, the going at Goodwood is now good and we will endeavour to maintain that ground description during Glorious Goodwood.



“The course is looking in great order and it is excellent news that Rip Van Winkle is returning to Goodwood for the Sussex Stakes. He beat one of Richard Hannon’s horses last year, Paco Boy, and is due to take on another one in Canford Cliffs this year - it should be a race to remember.”



Rip Van Winkle had his first start since November when sixth to Goldikova in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, while the progressive three-year-old Canford Cliffs has won his latest two races in great style, taking the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.



Canford Cliffs is currently rated the joint best three-year-old miler on turf across the globe at 122 in the World Thoroughbred Rankings.



Tickets are selling fast for Ladies Day on Thursday, July 29, and for the final day of Glorious Goodwood, Saturday, July 31.



Goodwood Racecourse recommends booking now to avoid disappointment through the Ticket Hotline on 01243 755055 or by visiting www.goodwood.com



For more information, please contact Seamus Buckley on 07774 100223, Bradley Eccleshare, Marketing & PR Manager on 01243 755024, or Rachel Suter, Racecourse Marketing and PR Executive at rachel.suter@goodwood.com




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