Rip Van Winkle: recorded his first Group 1 success under Johnny Murtagh

  PICTURE: Mark Cranham  

Rip Van Winkle earns Sussex Stakes spoils

Report: Goodwood, Wednesday

BGC Sussex Stakes (Group 1) 1m, 3yo+

RIP VAN WINKLE justified6-4 favouritism when giving trainer Aidan O'Brien a fourth success in the BGC Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.

Putting aside doubts over his participation, which was threatened by an injury to a hind hoof, the son of Galileo finally recorded his first victory at the highest level by seeing off Paco Boy in imperious fashion under Johnny Murtagh. Stanjames.com 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Ghanaati claimed third place.

Having finished fourth in both the Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas and Investec Derby, Rip Van Winkle produced a career best last time out when running Sea The Stars, the winner of those contests, to a length in the Coral-Eclispe.

Johnny Murtagh: praise

  PICTURE: Mark Cranham  

Murtagh, who has ridden the Ballydoyle colt in all but one of his races, said: "I said he was one of the best horses I've ridden and I still think that - he's a great horse.

"I thought he'd be unbeatable at the start and over a mile, mile and a quarter, he'd be very hard to beat until the end of the season."

Asked how Rip Van Winkle compared to last year's winner Henrythenavigator, also trained by O'Brien, Murtagh added: "The last bit of work I rode I said he's starting to feel like Henry and coming here today I thought he'd be unbeatable."

Accompanying pacemaker and stablemate Malibu Bay early on, Rip Van Winkle travelled withhis customary ease and was committed entering the straight by Murtagh, who stole a look at the chasing pack, of which Paco Boy provided the main danger. He again ran with credit for trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes but never looked liked troubling the winner, while Ghanaati, who sat behind the Ballydoyle duo under Richard Hills, could not add to her stunning performances this season.

Aidan O'Brien: fourth winner

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/ racingpostpix.com staff 

O'Brien, whose other wins in the race came courtesy of Rock Of Gibraltar (2002) and Giant's Causeway (2000), paid tribute to Rip Van Winkle's ability and constitution after the late injury scare.

"The plan was to try and get here with how important Goodwood is, and see if Johnny was happy with him taking him down," the champion trainer said.

"The horse is amazing. What he's come through, I've not seen it before - he's unbelievable. Everything went right after the Eclipse until yesterday, and it's a credit to the horse and his toughness and pain threshold.

"He's unbelievably classy and travels so easily, he's a very special horse.

Regarding Rip Van Winkle's plans and another crack at Sea The Stars, O'Brien added: "We're never afraid of one horse and the plan for Mastercraftsman is York [Juddmonte International] and we've Fame And Glory for Leopardstown [Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes] so this horse has France [the Pix du Moulin] and the QEII."