Toronado and Kingman remain on course for the QIPCO Sussex Stakes

Big guns Toronado and Kingman remain on course for the latest 'Duel on the Downs' following the confirmation stage for the QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday.

The talented duo were among nine horses left in the Group One showpiece over a mile.

Toronado took the prize 12 months ago and made a stunning reappearance when winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

His trainer Richard Hannon has also left in Lockinge victor Olympic Glory and Shifting Power, who was fourth in the Qipco 2000 Guineas and second in the Irish equivalent.

Kingman, trained by John Gosden, left Shifting Power trailing by five lengths in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and followed up with a wonderful success in the St James's Palace Stakes.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for Kingman's owner, Khalid Abdullah, said a final decision on the colt's participation has not yet been made.

Grimthorpe said: "We're still looking at the race and the Prince (Abdullah) will make a decision over the weekend. He'll have to make a decision before declaration time on Monday."

The filly in contention is Sir Michael Stoute's Integral, who opened her Group One account in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting.

Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has three possibles in Darwin, Illusive and War Command, while Godolphin's Outstrip, third in the St James's Palace, completes the list but he will only run if conditions are suitable.

Charlie Appleby wants to see the ground on the fast side if Outstrip is to take his chance against the big-hitters.

He said: "He has come out of the St James's Palace Stakes very well. You have to respect Kingman and Toronado but we would be happy to let Outstrip take them on, provided the ground is good or faster.

"He's an athletic horse and handled the course at Goodwood well last year. We felt that he hit the front a little too soon in the Vintage Stakes but we learned a lot from that run.

"We were disappointed with him in the Guineas but he had a genuine excuse that day as he scoped very badly afterwards. I had been pleased with his preparation going into Newmarket and I was very happy going into Royal Ascot, where he produced what I thought was a career-best performance.

"If it is good or quick racing ground, then Outstrip will run at Goodwood - anything on the slow side of good and he won't be taking his chance."

Seamus Buckley, Goodwood's Clerk of the Course, walked the course this afternoon and reported the going remains Good, Good to Firm in places.

He said: "I am pleased with the condition of the course and happy with where we are with the going.

"We have been watering overnight for the last week as day-time temperatures have been high, reaching 31 degrees Celsius yesterday. There is still plenty of moisture in the ground and we will continue the watering programme at night.

"The forecast is for predominantly dry weather - there is the possibility of showers on Sunday into Monday but we are expecting dry conditions throughout Glorious Goodwood which starts on Tuesday, July 29, though with slightly lower temperatures of between 20 & 22 degrees Celsius."