'Why not take on Baaeed?' - Alcohol Free's owner ready for Goodwood showdown

Owner Jeff Smith toasted his July Cup star Alcohol Free and said he had no fear about her taking on the mighty Baaeed over an extra two furlongs in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Alcohol Free is set to defend her Sussex Stakes crown on July 27, when Smith hopes she can end the unbeaten record of Baaeed, a Glorious Goodwood winner himself in 2021 and who has compiled a flawless eight-from-eight victories.

The Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old on Saturday became the first since Smith's former great Chief Singer to land both the July Cup and Sussex Stakes, two of Britain's most prestigious summer races, and Alcohol Free will now attempt to do the double in the same season, some 38 years on.