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Paddington has done it again – a 4th consecutive G1 in the Sussex Stakes.

The conditions were terrible but Paddington just ploughed on through them earning huge praise from both jockey and trainer who rates him now ahead of Giant's Causeway.  French raider Facteur Rural (means rural postman and named for a famous book about the postman who delivered the mail and cheer on his bicycle to a rustic population) delighted trainer Jerome Reynier with a good second under Maxime Guyon.  Inspiral went too soon and didn't have the puff to deliver.  It was the slowest Sussex Stakes for over 50 years.

Earlier the Oak Tree went to Magical Sunset for Richard Hannon and Kevin Stott with Breege second and Dream of Love third.  Jumbly was scratched and Fast Response didn't respond.

The Molecomb saw Big Evs continue his winning ways scoring by a neck from our roughie Purosangue who was much better behaved this time and favourite Kylian third.

Thursday there are many prayers going up for a better day and with luck the weather gods will be listening so while the track is still rated heavy there could be an upgrade when racing starts. 

The Richmond Stakes is G2 over 1200m for 2yo c&g.  The Crisfords will saddle Vandeek, a Havana Grey with Andrea Atzeni riding and they are on 11/8.  Sketch for the Meades is 5/1 with Oisin Murphy on board but we are going wider and will have a bit of the hard-earned on Toca Madera (means touch wood) with Brian Meehan and Sean Levey the team for this son of Bated Breath who is on 14/1.

The Gordon Stakes is G3 for 3yos over 2400m and here the O'Brien Espionage is on 3/2 following 2 wins and 2 seconds.  Ryan Moore rides.  Artistic Star is on 4/1 for Beckett-Hornby but we are still loyal to Canberra Legend on 13/2 for James Ferguson and D.Muscatt.

The G1 Nassau stakes sees the mouth-watering clash of French champion 3yo filly Blue Rose Cen trained by Christopher Head with stable stalwart Aurelian Lemaitre on board versus last year's winner the lovely Nashwa with Hollie Doyle riding for the Gosdens.

Let's hope the day is more conducive to strawberries and cream rather than hot tea and marmalade sandwiches!