'Henry' takes aim at Sussex Stakes

Henrythenavigator is in line to give Aidan O'Brien yet another Group 1 victory at Goodwood on Wednesday when he takes on six rivals in the $597,000 Sussex Stakes, the first of four weight-for-age miles between now and Sept. 27 that will determine Europe's champion miler.

A dual 2000 Guineas winner, Henrythenavigator has already beaten his most serious challenger, Raven's Pass, in both the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and Royal Ascot's St. James's Palace Stakes. A Kentucky-bred son of Kingmambo, he should be perfectly suited to Goodwood's single-turn, right-handed mile.

With Johnny Murtagh, who has been as hot as O'Brien of late, in the saddle, Henrythenavigator appears to be in the catbird seat to give the O'Brien team its 16th Group 1 triumph of the year.

With the defending title-holder, Ramonti, sidelined, only two older horses have taken up the challeng,e with Major Cadeaux the better of them. A Richard Hannon-trained son of Cadeaux Genereux, he has won his last two starts in the Group 2 Sandown Mile and the Group 3 John of Gaunt Stakes at seven furlongs, but is meeting tougher horses than he has ever encountered before. A length third in Creachadoir's Group 1 Lockinge Stakes in May, Tariq disappointed last time when ninth in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes.