GOODWOOD 15:35 271t69

Non Runners: ROSALLION (IRE). Race Distance Adjustment: +9 yds

Time: 1m 35.97s Closing Sectional: (4f): 45.4s (105.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 100.3%

The late defection of Rosallion meant that for the second year in a row the Sussex attracted just the 5 runners, and it wasn't a vintage renewal, Henry Longfellow not on his A-game and the older brigade a notch below high-class; that said, the winner is clearly right out of the top drawer and settled this in a matter of strides; the gallop was strong early on before slackening briefly mid-race, the test overall a fair one.

NOTABLE SPEECH was over whatever ailed him at Ascot, perhaps freshened up by a 6-week break after what was quite an intensive start to his career, and confirmed the impression created in the 2000 Guineas, that he's a high-class miler with a fine turn of foot, this speed-favouring track looking ideal; in touch, tanked along, going well when switched towards inner at cutaway over 1f out, quickened to lead for hand riding final 1f and soon in command, his rider dropping his whip late on making no odds; a rematch with Rosallion would be a race to savour with very little between the pair, it hard to see anything else in this division beating him if he's on song.

MALJOOM (IRE) took well to the fitting of blinkers and belatedly delivered the kind of performance he promised when a luckless fourth in the 2022 St James's Palace, no shame in finding a high-class 3-y-o too much for him; slowly into stride, waited with, pushed along 2f out, switched to outer soon after, kept on final 1f; the chances are that he'll remain vulnerable at the top level, but now that he's shown his effectiveness on this quirky track, the Celebration Mile towards the end of next month would represent a good chance to regain the winning thread.

FACTEUR CHEVAL (IRE) really is a model of consistency when getting a fair shake of the dice and wasted no time getting right back on song, proving track position rather than ground was to blame at Ascot; raced off the pace, travelled well, pushed along around 2f out, ran on.

HENRY LONGFELLOW (IRE) didn't have the standout chance suggested by the market, his form coming into this not quite at the same level as Notable Speech, but this was still a tad disappointing, acknowledging there were some mitigating factors, the idiosyncratic track perhaps just catching him out (had been kept to flat/galloping tracks previously), whilst he also was also done no favours by Sonny Liston, who hassled him on the front end in the early stages; led, shaken up over 2f out, headed final 1f, not persevered with once held; he's likely to be back on song sooner rather than later, with a step up to 1¼m on the cards, that trip likely to suit at least as well.

SONNY LISTON (IRE) was lit up by the refitting of blinkers for the first time this year and the change in tactics, and underperformed as a result; pressed leader, raced freely, shaken up around 2f out, weakened final 1f.