Rip Van Winkle will relish a fierce pace in the Sussex Stakes

• Aidan O’Brien likely to use pacemakers in Sussex Stakes • Berling can turn a poor-looking draw to his advantage Aidan O’Brien rarely leaves a tactical stone unturned and the presence of two stablemates in the line-up can tip the balance in favour of Rip Van Winkle (3.25) in tomorrow’s Sussex Stakes. Quite what role the Ballydoyle council of minds have in mind for Beethoven and Encompassing remains to be seen, but despite arguably finding himself in front too soon, Rip Van Winkle relished the fierce gallop set by Malibu Bay last year. His fine second to Sea The Stars in last year’s Coral-Eclipse (off a similarly fast gallop) proved he stays further than a mile and it would be no surprise if O’Brien and Rip Van Winkle’s rider Ryan Moore plan to stretch Canford Cliffs’ stamina to the absolute limit. It’s possible, of course, that a breakneck gallop will end up suiting the favourite, who has an impressive cruising speed

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