Triumph in store as Sussex Ranger bids to continue the fairytale

There once was an ugly duckling, with feathers all . . . no, that isn't quite right. There once was a tall, gangly racehorse, who finished last but one on his debut. That could so easily have been the end of the story, in so many words. But not this racehorse; not Sussex Ranger.

Almost 18 months ago, we needed a subject for a feature about a two-year-old having its first run. Through no better reason than propinquity – Gary Moore's yard is an hour away, Goodwood even closer – the pin came down on Sussex Ranger. He was a very good subject for the article, even if he could only beat one horse home in his first race. What did we print?

". . . Sussex Ranger doesn't have a clue. Tom Queally walks him back in, slides out of the saddle, offers considered encouragement for the future, tells the slightly deflated members of the Tongdean Partnership that their horse will certainly win a race for them. Later, the owners replace their initial disappointment with optimism that experience, time, a handicap mark and a longer trip will bring more out of their horse."