Solow hits Sussex Stakes heights

Solow completed a Group 1 four-timer when getting the better of Arod in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The French-trained Solow won the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on his last start and he confirmed the form of that race in seeing off Arod by half-a-length.

The absence of Gleneagles had taken some of the shine off the one-mile contest as eight runners went to post for the highlight of the Glorious Goodwood meeting.

Arod, who had won a Group 3 and Group 2 on his last two starts, adopted his now customary position at the head of affairs after being brought across to the rail from his wide draw by Andrea Atzeni.

Maxime Guyon always had Solow close to the pace in second and the two horses made the most of their handy positions.

Guyon appeared to be the first of the two jockeys to get to work on Solow, but the five-year-old gradually got on top inside the final furlong to claim another big prize for trainer Freddy Head.

Arod justified trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam’s decision to step back into Group 1 company, while 50/1 shot Gabrial, who was third of four in this race behind the mighty Frankel three years ago, stayed on well for third.

Cougar Mountain and Here Comes When, who were both behind Solow at Ascot, came next, while Night Of Thunder failed to bounce back from his Queen Anne disappointment by again finding little when the race got serious.