Talented Tactic ticks all the boxes

JOHN Dunlop's Tactic will aim to continue his rapid progression in today's Artemis Goodwood Cup on the third day of the 'Glorious' meeting on the Sussex track.

The four-year-old has improved beyond all recognition this season, winning a York Listed race by 14 lengths, smashing the track record in the process, as well as beating Dermot Weld's Profound Beauty in the Curragh Cup. A Group 2 event is the next natural step, and connections are hopeful he can take in his stride the slight rise in grade and trip.

"He's progressing very quickly and has been impressive so far," said Angus Gold, owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager. "He was always a nice horse but an immature horse as he's quite a late foal.

"Even last year his attitude on occasions didn't look the most robust so we gelded him and he seems to have turned inside out, so if it's been a surprise it has been a very pleasant one. The potential was always there and it's nice to get it out of him."

Ed McMahon believes the weight concessions Astrophysical Jet receives in the Audi King George Stakes could prove vital.

The three-year-old filly finally lived up to her home reputation when waltzing away with a handicap at Newmarket's July meeting. That was her first run over five furlongs having been campaigned over further but she certainly did not look short of speed at Headquarters.

"She's on the upgrade. I've always held her in high regard and because she's rated 101 now there's a lack of opportunities for her. While we haven't been backed into a corner, I thought we may as well take a chance," said McMahon.

"We don't know if the track will suit, the stiff five at Newmarket seemed to, but this is a completely different race. She's going from a handicap up to a Group 2 but it was the way she did it."

Richard Hughes was yet again poetry in motion yesterday as he brought star three-year-old miler Canford Cliffs through to deny Rip Van Winkle back-to-back runnings of the Sussex Stakes. No sooner had trainer Richard Hannon registered his 50th winner at the meeting than his son-in-law provided him with the 51st in the Group 1 feature.

The Hannon family have dominated proceedings on the Sussex Downs this week and Canford Cliffs followed up his Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes successes to gift them their fourth win. The Classic generation have held sway since the Sussex became an all-aged event in 1975 and Canford Cliffs continued the trend with the 25th three-year-old win by obliging as the 4-6 favourite. Hughes restrained the market leader early and moved closer as Rip Van Winkle took over from his pacemaking stablemate Encompassing inside the final two furlongs.

Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old charged into the clear air bidding to become the only consecutive winner of the race, but Hughes was alive to his move and brought Canford Cliffs through to challenge inside the distance. A devastating burst of speed brought him upsides and as the partnership went a neck clear, Hughes was able to ease down for a sweet victory. "He is the best I have trained and I hope to God that he stays in training next year," said Hannon. King Torus helped Hannon reach his 50th winner with a convincing effort in the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes. Despite carrying a 3lb penalty for his victory in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, it was smooth sailing for jockey-of-the-moment Hughes as he steered King Torus (11-4) six lengths clear.

Nicky Henderson loves a cut at the meeting with one of his jumpers and he struck with Ghimaar in the Sportingbet.com Goodwood Stakes. The marathon handicap was dominated by National Hunt trainers as 6-1 favourite Ghimaar reversed Royal Ascot placings with David Pipe's Junior, who was 8lb worse off with his rival but only gave best by a length and a half.