The month of August is set to get off to a flying start for horse racing lovers with the Sussex Stakes taking place on the opening day as part of the Glorious Goodwood Festival. A group one race run over the flat mile, there’s a cool £1m in prize money to be won and that has certainly captured the imagination of the sport’s big names.
With a history stretching back to 1841, Here Comes When added his name to the list of winners when coming out on top here 12 months ago under the ride of Jim Crowley, with the pair holding on to beat odds-on favourite Ribchester by a neck. 20/1 was the prize to those who kept faith with Andrew Balding’s experienced campaigner.
The success of 2017 came as a real shock to odds compilers, but they don’t appear to have learned their lesson and have two-in-a-row marked up at as much as 33/1. A tad disrespectful perhaps but that’ll be music to the ears of those who like to side with previous winners, especially those with a hefty price-tag attached.
The Sussex Stakes remains a real summer favourite of punters and bookmakers have gone all out to help you celebrate with a number of special offers and promotions available to those having a play. A browse through Oddschecker will alert you to the best of them, including bet £10 get £30 at William Hill.
Such a deal could make backing the favourite a little more attractive and traders believe Without Parole is the one worth having. John Gosden’s three-year-old colt carries the bloodline of two-time Sussex Stakes winner Frankel and he has lived up to his breeding so far, winning each of his first four starts including the group one St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June.
Priced like losing wasn’t an option that day – 9/4 jolly at the off – the eye-catching bay held off the challenge of Gustav Klimt who finished second, beaten ½ a length. That was only Without Parole’s fourth run, but he showed the class of his sire to hang in when it mattered most, adding a steely determination to his memorable turn of foot.
A big future awaits this runner and it’s almost impossible to make a case for opposing him as he continues to progress and impress, collecting new fans with every visit to the winners’ enclosure.
