Rosallion, Notable Speech and Henry Longfellow set for epic three-year-old clash in the Sussex Stakes
![Notable Speech (left), Rosallion (centre) and Henry Longfellow clash in the St James's Palace Stakes](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com%2Fprod-media-racingpost%2Fprod%2Fimages%2F169_1008%2Fe6f06407fa3d-425-spliced-notable-speech-rosallion-henry-longfellow-treble-splice.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
A third clash between British and Irish 2,000 Guineas winners Notable Speech and Rosallion has edged one step closer with both set to star in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (3.35) on day two of Glorious Goodwood.
The duo were among eight horses who stood their ground in the race, which takes place next Wednesday, following the confirmations stage. The mile Group 1 is set to be another fascinating dual on the Downs between the two leading three-year-old milers, who have met twice already this year.
Notable Speech landed the first blow when a brilliant winner of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, in which Rosallion was a one-and-a-half length second. However, the Richard Hannon-trained star got his revenge when victorious in the St James's Palace Stakes last time when Notable Speech finished a disappointing seventh.
Rosallion also enjoyed Classic glory at the Curragh and is the red-hot favourite. Hannon's father, Richard snr, has won the Sussex Stakes in the past with the likes of Toronado and Canford Cliffs.
Aidan O'Brien could be three-handed as he bids to win back-to-back runnings of the race following Paddington's victory last year. His team is headed by St James's Palace runner-up Henry Longfellow, while River Tiber and Mountain Bear could aim to get their careers back on track.
Last year's runner-up Facteur Cheval is also in the mix, while Queen Anne third Maljoom and Sonny Liston complete those who remain in contention. As expected, the likes of Haatem and Quddwah were scratched.
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Facteur Cheval leads the older horse generation in the Sussex, having won the Dubai Turf earlier in the year. He finished second in the race a year ago, but must bounce back from his disappointing sixth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The five-year-old's trainer Jerome Reynier said: "Unfortunately the ground was too fast at Ascot, he lost a shoe and was on the wrong side of the track. Everything went wrong. All you can do is try and forget about the race and have a lot of trust. I think everything will be back to normal because he was never out of the first four in his life before that, so we can't be blaming him."
The multiple Group 1-winning trainer already has his eyes on more big-race international success following Facteur Cheval's Sussex run, including trips to Leopardstown and Del Mar later this year.
He added: "I'd like to get him up in trip for the Irish Champion Stakes. If he can stretch to a mile and a quarter, and he's so good going left-handed, we could be aiming for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on the dirt too. I know his connections would love to see him in Del Mar."
Coral's David Stevens said: "Following victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes, Rosallion will start a red-hot favourite for the Qatar Sussex Stakes, and with just seven rivals remaining against him at this stage, it would be no surprise to see Richard Hannon's charge sent off odds-on next Wednesday."
A total of 18 horses have been entered in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes (3.00), including Aesterius for Archie Watson and Wathnan Racing. He was last seen impressively winning a Listed contest at Sandown, having previously finished fifth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Mick Appleby and owners RP Racing took the race last year with top-level star Big Evs and they are set to be represented again by Big Mojo, who was runner-up on his debut at Beverley.
Falmouth Stakes runner-up Jabaara could be set for a drop down in class on the card, as she is among 17 entered in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes (2.25).
Qatar Sussex Stakes confirmations
Facteur Cheval Jerome Reynier
Maljoom William Haggas
Sonny Liston Ralph Beckett
Henry Longfellow Aidan O'Brien
Mountain Bear Aidan O'Brien
Notable Speech Charlie Appleby
River Tiber Aidan O'Brien
Rosallion Richard Hannon
3.35 Goodwood (Wednesday, July 31), Qatar Sussex Stakes
Coral: Evs Rosallion, 10-3 Henry Longfellow, 4 Notable Speech, 14 Facteur Cheval, Maljoom, 16 Sonny Liston, 20 River Tiber, 50 Mountain Bear
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