Rob Hornby: Alcohol Free in best form possible for exciting clash with Baaeed

Rob Hornby believes Alcohol Free is in the form of her life for a daring attempt to defend her Qatar Sussex Stakes crown on day two of Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday.

At the start of the year trainer Andrew Balding and owner Jeff Smith laid out a plan to take last year's best three-year-old filly over a mile back in trip, one which was thrillingly vindicated when Alcohol Free burst clear of her rivals to land the July Cup over six furlongs.

Hornby is under no illusions taking on the unbeaten Baaeed and 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus in the Sussex, but feels Alcohol Free is meeting them at exactly the right time.

"It's remarkable really how she adapted so well to being dropped back to six furlongs in one of the most significant sprints of the year," he said.

"To put in a performance like that after running over a mile and last year winning the Sussex, what a training performance that was, and it was very brave of Mr Smith to give us the opportunity to do it."

Hornby added: "She was just electric that day and gave me the feel of a true champion. It's just a remarkable achievement from everyone involved with the filly."

Alcohol Free romps home to win the Sussex Stakes last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Alcohol Free's success at Newmarket earned her a career-high Racing Post Rating of 123, 2lb clear of the figure she posted when defeating Poetic Flare and Snow Lantern in last year's Sussex.

"Fillies are slightly different and perhaps take a little bit of time to come right," said Hornby. "She's a year older and although her work had been very pleasing coming into all those runs [at the start of the season], you've got to let them come into themselves a little bit.

"Knowing she's where she is at the moment, taking on Baaeed is a challenge we're really looking forward to. Jeff Smith is excited to be taking on that challenge, which is so good of him, and he's a really sporting man."

Alcohol Free was no match for Baaeed at the end of a long season in last year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and was almost six lengths adrift when the pair met again in the Lockinge in May.

Hornby said: "She was a little bit disappointing at Sandown at the start of the year and then had some tough assignments along the way in the Lockinge and at Ascot. But to know she's really come well in herself and seems to be in the best form possible is hugely exciting."

Hornby also highlighted a couple of positives for Alcohol Free in the shape of her proven course form and the performance she put in at Newmarket on ground quicker than connections might previously have felt was ideal.

The daughter of No Nay Never provided the second leg of a Group 1 double for Hornby at the July meeting, her success coming just 24 hours after Prosperous Voyage in the Falmouth Stakes.

The 27-year-old has a second shot at adding to that tally at Goodwood with Coltrane a 10-1 chance to get the better of Kyprios, Stradivarius and Trueshan in Tuesday's Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.

Coltrane forges clear to win by ten lengths at Sandown under Rob HornbyCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

A ten-length winner at Sandown in Listed company on his last start, Coltrane is set to face eight rivals and Hornby is hopeful of a bold showing.

"I was gutted after the Chester Cup," said Hornby. "We got a dream run through, he ran such a heroic race and to be run down by Cleveland, who also got a dream passage around one of the trickiest courses to get the gaps at, was so frustrating.

"But it showed we had a seriously good stayer on our hands. He was given a super ride at Royal Ascot by a young apprentice in Callum Hutchinson, when he showed he stayed so well.

"He seems to have built on that again and he's growing up all the time, settling in his races, and he really attacked the rising ground at Sandown and galloped out. I do think he's still improving.

"Andrew’s youngest son Toby rides him a lot at home and he galloped him on Wednesday and came straight up to me to say, 'This horse is in fantastic form'. I know Toby is very excited and we're going there with high hopes."

Read these next:

Confirmed runners and riders for the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup

Fantastic four: assessing the key contenders for a heavyweight Goodwood Cup

Glorious Goodwood 2022 guide: the key races, horses and how to watch

Sign up here. Place a minimum £10 bet on the Sportsbook at odds of minimum 1/2 (1.5) and get £30 in free bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.