Breeders' Cup target for Notable Speech after Sussex Stakes success

Notable Speech's form still reads like computer code, but "111101" holds the promise of a brighter conclusion to his three-year-old career after Charlie Appleby's colt returned to form in the Group One Sussex Stakes at Goodwood yesterday, six weeks since the surrender of his unbeaten record in the St James's Palace Stakes.

- Greg Wood

Notable Speech beat just one rival at Ascot, a performance that still mystifies his connections, with Henry Longfellow, the runner-up, nearly six lengths in front at the line. As a result, it was little surprise that, following the scratching this week of Rosallion from this contest, all the money was for Henry Longfellow, backed from 6-4 to 11-10 while Notable Speech took a walk from 13-8 to 3-1.

The punters who kept faith with Notable Speech would have been ageing very rapidly as the five runners headed towards the furlong pole. He was clearly travelling like a winner as the front-running Henry Longfellow started to come under a ride, but he was up against the far rail.

Since 2022, however, the cutaway has reduced the traffic in the Goodwood straight, and William Buick was perfectly placed. He fired Notable Speech down the inside and his colt's turn of foot took him clear.