Respect for Baaeed from Sussex Stakes vanquished as Appleby takes aim at America

Charlie Appleby doffed his hat to Baaeed after supplying the Sussex Stakes runner-up in Modern Games, a late substitute for Coroebus, who was found to be lame on Monday. "Everyone's always said about Baaeed, what's he beaten?" noted the Godolphin trainer.

"Today was probably the strongest race he's faced, in that they were solid Group 1 competitors against him. He's gone and done that, so full respect to him.

"I'd love to have seen Coroebus in the race. But he wasn't, so the guessing game is still there."

Appleby said he was "delighted" with Modern Games, although he felt defensive on the horse's behalf about the widespread use of the word 'substitute'. "He's a horse that won a Breeders' Cup Juvenile and a French Guineas; I'd like to have a few more substitutes like that.

"William [Buick] has given him a great ride, we were in the box seat, but the winner's a very good horse, there's no doubt about it. Modern Games is like his sire [Dubawi], he goes down on his sword and that's what you saw there today."

Charlie Appleby: big fan of BaaeedCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Breeders' Cup Mile is Modern Games's autumn target, the trainer said. If there is a prep run for the horse, it is also likely to be in North America.

Alcohol Free ran on strongly into third place, having briefly run out of room between Modern Games and Chindit with a furlong to go. "I'm thrilled with the run," Andrew Balding said.

"Rob [Hornby] did a beautiful job getting her settled. She got slightly checked at a vital stage. Baaeed had gone then, he's got another gear. But it perhaps cost her a length or so.

"I liked the way, once she got organised again, she really hit the line. She's a fantastic racemare."

Balding has an array of options for Alcohol Free, saying he would consider "anything from six furlongs to a mile at Group 1 level, all over Europe". He is pleased she has shown top-class form on fast ground this summer, proving she is not ground dependent, but added: "I think she's better with cut in the ground, because some of the others don't handle it so well."

Yoshito Yahagi, who brought Bathrat Leon over from Japan, said he had briefly thought his horse might be able to hold on after leading the field to the final furlong. "He ran much better than I expected. He was 66-1," the trainer said, speaking through an interpreter.

"He'll run next in the Prix Jacques le Marois. He'll travel to Deauville this weekend."

Ralph Beckett was pleased to see a return to form of sorts from Angel Bleu, who ran on into fifth, missing third place by less than a length. "I thought it was a really good effort," the Hampshire trainer said. "He might come back for the Celebration Mile here. It's good to have him back."

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