Murtagh bullish Henrythenavigator can prove up to task in Sussex

JOHNNY Murtagh is bullish about Henrythenavigator proving up to the task as he takes on his elders for the first time in the BGC Sussex Stakes at Goodwood today.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt has shown himself to be the king among milers of his own generation by winning all his three races this season at Group One level.

He completed a Classic double with two victories over subsequent Derby winner New Approach in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas and then beat Raven’s Pass in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The latter, beaten three-quarters of a length at Royal Ascot, bids to take his revenge and stop Henrythenavigator from giving O’Brien a third Sussex success after Giant’s Causeway (2000) and Rock Of Gibraltar (2002).

“He’s in good form and his work has been good since Royal Ascot,” said Murtagh.

“It is his first run back since Royal Ascot but the trainer is happy with him and I rode work on him the other morning and he felt great.

“It’s his first time against the older horses but I am really looking forward to it.”

Henrythenavigator is 2-5 with Ladbrokes, whose spokesman David Williams said: “Henrythenavigator is now at his shortest price since we opened betting on the race. It seems that punters can’t get enough of him.”

Raven’s Pass is expected to provide the main opposition to the odds-on favourite from his own generation while connections of the two older horses in the field, the four-year-olds Major Cadeaux and Tariq, appreciate the task facing their charges.

Tariq, winner of last year’s Betfair Cup over Goodwood’s seven furlongs, goes in search of a first Group One success as he bids to prove he truly stays a mile.

After finishing a highly-promising third in the Lockinge Stakes over this trip, the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained runner could make no impact in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“It was one of those things at Ascot, but he likes Goodwood and he looks a million dollars,” said Tony Nerses, racing manager to owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar.

“He should stay the mile, we hope he does and he’s in terrific form. We are going to roll the dice and see what our luck will bring. With the likes of Henry and Raven’s in the race one can only hope.”

Major Cadeaux’s trainer Richard Hannon said: “We are probably running for a place but ours is in good form and has had a break. We’ll give him (Henrythenavigator) a race.”

BGC Sussex Stakes betting:

Ladbrokes: 2-5 Henrythenavigator, 4-1 Raven’s Pass, 14-1 Major Cadeaux, 20-1 Bar