Rain would suit trainer Freddy Head for Solow in Sussex Stakes

Freddy Head is keeping his fingers crossed for an ease in the ground at Glorious Goodwood ahead of Solow's highly-anticipated clash with Gleneagles in the Qatar Sussex Stakes.

Solow enjoyed a tremendous start to the year with victories in the Dubai Turf at Meydan and the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp and completed a Group One hat-trick in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.

The four-year-old is set to return to Britain for what could be his biggest test yet on July 29, with Aidan O'Brien's dual Guineas hero and St James's Palace Stakes scorer Gleneagles lying in wait.

"He is very well, he took the race well and I'm very happy with him," said Head.

"That (Goodwood) is the plan if all goes well and I hope we get a little rain."

Head is relishing what promises to be a mouthwatering clash of the generations and wonders whether a tough first half to Gleneagles' Classic year could catch up with him.

He said: "It's going to be an interesting race, I think. Gleneagles has had a tough spring, he has two Guineas and a St James's Palace in his legs, so we'll see.

"I don't think my horse will improve on his performance at Ascot, but he can be as well (as he was there) and if there is a bit more ease in the ground I'll be happy."

Solow might not be the leading French trainer's only Goodwood representative, with We Are a potential challenger in the Qatar Nassau Stakes.

Winner of the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp last October, the daughter of Dansili was last seen chasing home dual Arc heroine Treve in the Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud.

"She is well and I think if everything goes OK, she will come to Goodwood as well," said Head.

"She's a great mare."