Revenge sweet for Toronado

Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes left Goodwood dejected the last time the Qipco Sussex Stakes had been dubbed ’Duel on the Downs’ but the latest renewal offered glorious revenge for Toronado.

Canford Cliffs had been mauled by Frankel two years earlier before being retired prematurely due to injury and Toronado was odds-against as he clashed with Dawn Approach for the third time after a heavy defeat in the 2000 Guineas and a far narrower one in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

This time, though, after what has to count as one of Hughes’s most brilliant rides, there was half a length between them and there must surely be potential for a fourth round as the match justified what looked slightly excessive hype.