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Qatar Sussex Stakes: Ground conditions key to Century Dream’s Goodwood challenge after Windsor victory

Century Dream won Listed Midsummer Stakes at Windsor on Saturday, beating Top Rank; co-trainer Ed Crisford says they will "follow the rain" and run in Sussex Stakes if ground goes soft or worse at Goodwood next month

Kieran Shoemark wins the Midsummer Stakes at Windsor on board Century Dream
Image: Kieran Shoemark wins the Midsummer Stakes at Windsor on board Century Dream

Ground conditions will dictate whether Century Dream will return to Group One level for a tilt at the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Having been narrowly denied a third win in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom on Derby day, Simon and Ed Crisford's stable stalwart notched his first victory of the campaign and the 10th of his career in the Listed Midsummer Stakes at Windsor on Saturday.

The seven-year-old ran out an impressive winner of the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last summer and could return to the Sussex Downs for a potential clash with the likes of Palace Pier and Poetic Flare on July 28 - but only if conditions are in his favour.

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"We were delighted with him at Windsor. He did it nicely and liked the ground," said Ed Crisford.

"We have no immediate targets with him - we'll obviously just follow the rain.

Oh This Is Us catches Century Dream on the line
Image: Oh This Is Us catches Century Dream on the line in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom

"He's a seven-year-old now, so he's an old boy, but he always shows a lot of enthusiasm and we've just got to pick and choose our targets depending on where the ground is right for him.

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"He's in the Sussex Stakes and if it did go soft or worse, I'm sure he'd be running in it."

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