Notable Speech scorches past Henry Longfellow to claim Sussex Stakes in brilliant style

It was not the Sussex Stakes we were expecting but it was one that promises to live long in the memory after Notable Speech showed a blistering turn of foot to become the first 2,000 Guineas winner since Frankel to follow up at Glorious Goodwood.

There was no 'Duel on the Downs' between the winner and Rosallion, who was unfortunately ruled out of the race on Tuesday, but we were still treated to a fascinating clash between two top milers from the Classic generation with Henry Longfellow strong in the market.

Conversely, there was little support for Notable Speech after he lost his unbeaten record in the St James's Palace Stakes last time. He simply failed to fire at Royal Ascot but the engine proved to be in full working order as he scorched up the far rail under William Buick.

"It's important for these Classic horses to come here and hopefully bring that Classic generation to the table where they deserve to be going forward," said Charlie Appleby after winning his first Sussex. "Everybody was asking what happened at Ascot and I'm not trying to sound like I'm sitting on the fence but we genuinely didn't have an excuse.

"I feel for Richard Hannon and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid because we wanted a 'Duel on the Downs', as it's so often called, and to have two Classic winners would have been fantastic, but even without Rosallion there was plenty of depth with Henry Longfellow and the older horses. The race still had to be won and you always hope the Classic winner is the one to do it."

Notable Speech: the 2,000 Guineas hero was a decisive winner of the Sussex

Notable Speech pulls away from his Sussex Stakes rivalsCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Victory in the Sussex was the latest stop on an unconventional journey. Notable Speech made his debut at three in January and won three races on the all-weather at Kempton before causing a minor upset when winning the 2,000 Guineas from Rosallion.

That meant he was sent off the 6-4 favourite for the St James's Palace. Hopes were high but when Buick went to push the button, the usual instant response was not there and he could only manage seventh.

Day two at Glorious Goodwood - as it happened

If Appleby were harbouring any fears of a repeat performance, he did not show it in the parade ring, nor was he given any reason to worry during the race, with Notable Speech quickly putting it to bed.

"It's always disappointing when you have an unbeaten horse and a Guineas winner who gets beaten," the trainer said. "But you have to keep looking forward and try to take the positives. It would have been more disappointing if he was found to have been lame or if there was something out of the ordinary.

A delighted William Buick celebrates after winning the Sussex Stakes on Notable Speech

Notable Speech and William Buick after victory in the Sussex StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"We just had to keep pressing forward and we were confident today. Fair play to William. We hoped it would be that sort of textbook ride with a pitch behind the pace and the cutaway coming into play. That only works if you have a good horse underneath you and that's what William had."

Few could dispute that. Notable Speech showed the type of acceleration that makes you wish, even just a little bit, that you were brave enough to ride racehorses for a living. So what was it like for the man on board? "However good it looks, it feels better," said Buick. "That was amazing."

The jockey has partnered numerous champions, many of them exceptionally fast, but it is clear the winner stands out to him. "I couldn't get away from what he did at Newmarket, which brought plenty of confidence. He's so uncomplicated and takes everything in his stride. I mean everything I say about him. A horse with his ability and turn of foot is rare to see.

The Breeders' Cup Mile could be a future target for Notable SpeechCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"There should be more to come. He has such a high acceleration and you saw how quickly he changed the complexion of the race, which is his forte. He would be the ideal type for a Breeders' Cup and all those top mile races. He's a special horse and it's a privilege to be able to ride him."

The US looks a likely destination and Notable Speech was cut to 6-1 (from 14) for the Breeders' Cup Mile, a race Appleby and Buick have won three years in a row.

"After Ascot our main aim was to get back on track here," said the trainer. "I don't think there's a reason to go beyond a mile. He went on a steep learning curve this year, but he's become more of a man now and more professional."

Racing Post Rating verdict: no doubt over Notable Speech's quality now

By Paul Curtis, senior handicapper

Notable Speech bounced back from Royal Ascot disappointment in fine style to land the Sussex Stakes, with the 2,000 Guineas winner again displaying a fine turn of pace to nudge his level a notch higher with a Racing Post Rating of 124.

His performance when beating only one home in the St James's Palace Stakes was clearly too bad to be true, but there was still a suspicion the Guineas form had seen him in a favourable light given his advantageous draw of stall two and guaranteed race fitness against reappearing rivals.

Notable Speech wins the Sussex Stakes from MaljoomCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Not so now though, and a clash with the absent St James's Palace Stakes winner Rosallion, with whom Notable Speech now sits atop the mile standings, will be eagerly anticipated. The form book might point to Notable Speech, given his Guineas verdict over Rosallion and with Henry Longfellow beaten further than at Royal Ascot.

Things are rarely that clear cut though, and beaten favourite Henry Longfellow was clearly not at the same level as Royal Ascot (123) having surprisingly been taken on early by the usually held up Sonny Liston. There is little between the trio on their best form and it will be fascinating to see how they progress through the remainder of the season.

Maljoom proved the best of rest, first-time blinkers seeing him back to the level of his unlucky fourth in the 2022 St James's Palace Stakes with an RPR of 121. Facteur Cheval (120) may want easier ground, but his performance is rated similar to that of his second to Paddington in last year's Sussex.

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