GOODWOOD 15:15 5f545y

All 7 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +6 yds

Time: 1m 38.75s Closing Sectional: (4f): 47.1s (104.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 100.8%

The mile division has lacked spark at the very highest level for a few seasons now but this year’s Sussex Stakes looked to have the potential to ignite it again, the first 2 home from both the Two Thousand Guineas and the Irish equivalent facing off with the leading older miler Circus Maximus, Pinatubo – who went to the Prix Jean Prat instead – and his Royal Ascot conqueror Palace Pier really the only 2 notable absentees amongst the colts/geldings in what was surely the race of the season so far, but those searching for an improving 3-y-o to take centre stage discounted the slower-burning 4-y-o Mohaather, who is only now realising his full potential, his turn of foot sharper than Siskin's at the end of a tactical race, the pair both challenging out wide as Kameko was hemmed in on the rail with the front-running Circus Maximus in front of him and Witchita leaning into his left side, the latter having also hampered the winner when he began his shift to the right, his rider taking the best part of a furlong to ister the whip correctively, though the Stewards found that no riding offense had taken place.

MOHAATHER looked to have just the right skillset for this race, a strong traveller with a lethal turn of foot, but 2f out it seemed as though things were conspiring against him as they'd done in the Queen Anne, stalking the leaders going well when taking a bump from Wichita, then losing plenty of momentum as he was forced to switch around the weakening Vatican City, ending up challenging widest of all upsides Siskin, burning past him and the leader inside the last ½f in most-impressive style, particularly considering the favourite's pace, responding really well for pressure and strong at the line, providing his trainer with a first Group 1 winner since Sir Percy in the 2006 Derby; Kameko deserves another shot at him and other tracks may not suit Mohaather's push-button acceleration as well as this one but this was a top-class performance and we may not have even seen the best of him yet.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS (IRE) was given every chance, racing at the head of affairs whilst his 2 stablemates caused problems for those in behind, but was beaten into second by a speedier miler as he'd been in this contest 12 months ago; led, shaken up 2f out, tackled over 1f out, kept on, not quicken inside last ½f; his best chance of reversing form with the winner might come in a soft-ground QEII, but Circus Maximus has developed into a very likable type and seems sure to run well wherever he turns up next.

SISKIN (USA) was sent off favourite more on the style of his 5 previous victories (from as many starts) rather than the substance of his form and actually ran a career-best despite losing his unbeaten record 7 weeks on from the Irish 2000 Guineas, coming in for an excellent ride which game him every chance on the day in a race that was a good fit for him; waited with on inner from stall 1, switched out wide over 2f out, looked very threatening when making smooth headway over 1f out, every chance entering final 1f, one paced; he did very little wrong here and remains one to be positive about, highly likely to win more races at the top level.

KAMEKO (USA) had won the Guineas in the style of a stayer at the trip but certainly didn't look to be lacking for speed dropping back to a sharp 1m from the Derby, essentially having no chance to open up in behind Circus Maximus down on the rail and finishing with running left, hard to say exactly where he'd have finished had he got out, particularly considering that Mohaather met trouble as well, a rematch between the pair likely to be eagerly anticipated, though Kameko has unfinished business over further (highly likely to stay 1¼m); broke well but declined the lead and settled in touch, going well (though perhaps just edging to his right) when completely denied a run from 2f out to the line.

WICHITA (IRE) was seemingly unsuited by the track after 6 weeks off and is better judged on previous form; mid-field, hung right across and into rivals from 2f out, weakened approaching last ½f.

SAN DONATO (IRE) behind the winner in the Summer Mile at Ascot, shaped as if still in good form even though beaten further by him here, not good enough to really mix it in the very best Group 1s at present; held up, typically took strong hold, rapid headway out wide from 3f out, challenged briefly 2f out, weakened entering final 1f; a strong-travelling type, he's worth another try at 7f at some point.

VATICAN CITY (IRE) dropping in trip from the Derby, seemed to lose his action around 2f out (close up until that point) and was subsequently found to be lame and suffering from an irregular heartbeat, also losing a shoe on the way round, a nasty experience.