Ribchester heads 24 left in Qatar Sussex Stakes

William Buick and Ribchester have already combined for wins in the Lockinge and Queen Anne this year. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Dual Series winner Ribchester heads 24 entries left in the Qatar Sussex Stakes on August 2 following the latest scratchings deadline.

Third behind The Gurkha 12 months ago, Richard Fahey’s star, winner of the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes this year, is set the face the cream of this year’s Classic generation with the likes of dual 2000 Guineas victor Churchill and St James’s Palace winner Barney Roy standing their ground.

Other leading contenders include Thunder Snow, Mutakayyef, Zelzal and triple Group One heroine Winter.

The latter is among 23 possibles for the Qatar Nassau Stakes on August 3. John Gosden has sent out three of the last five winners of the Nassau and has two in the list – So Mi Dar and Shutter Speed.

The Qatar Goodwood Cup, upgraded to Group One status, still has 25 horses still in contention, including Big Orange, the winner for the last two years.

Michael Bell’s crack stayer edged out Order Of St George in an epic renewal of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and a rematch with Aidan O’Brien’s runner could be on the cards on August 1.