'We're not writing off Pinatubo yet': encouraged Appleby eyes up Sussex Stakes

The Qatar Sussex Stakes could be next for Pinatubo after his brave second in Saturday's St James's Palace Stakes to Palace Pier at Royal Ascot.

Charlie Appleby was encouraged by the length defeat from Godolphin's three-year-old – who was unbeaten in six starts last season. Pinatubo took a fair step forward from his third in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, setting up a tilt at the Group 1 mile contest at Goodwood on July 29.

Pinatubo jumped to the top of the juvenile pecking order with a five-length demolition in the Vintage Stakes at that meeting last year, and he is as short as 3-1 for his next target.

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Appleby, without a winner at the royal meeting this week, said: "It's disappointing to get beat again, but he travelled and we saw the Pinatubo we saw last year, for sure.

"From the three [furlong pole] to the two it's just a matter of pressing the button again. William [Buick] said just on that ground in the last 100 yards the tank was emptying out. He's so courageous and he held on for second still.

"As always we'll get him back and speak to the connections. Everyone likes to put the gun to people's head after the event, but the Sussex is an easy mile there and we've seen what he can do around that track. That's always an option.

"He's still a class animal at the end of the day and we're not going to write him off yet. You can see when he walked in he had given it everything."

John Gosden confirmed on Saturday that Palace Pier would not be aimed at Goodwood. The Sussex Stakes betting is currently led by Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Siskin, at 2-1.

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