Aidan O'Brien expects Rip Van Winkle to prove an eye-opener at Glorious Goodwood

TWELVE months ago the finish to the Sussex Stakes was fought out between Aidan O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle and Richard Hannon's Paco Boy, and while the latter arrives with a new challenger in Canford Cliffs, O'Brien is relying on the old guard.

He has something to prove after disappointing at the Breeders' Cup and in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, but O'Brien is keeping faith that Rip Van Winkle can wake up and put his best foot forward at Glorious Goodwood, leading to a strong second half to the Flat campaign.

"Rip Van Winkle is in good form since Ascot, we think he has progressed and will progress more as the season goes on," said O'Brien.

The Coolmore team are also responsible for likely pacemaker Encompassing and last season's Dewhurst winner Beethoven, who will be ridden by O'Brien's son, Joseph, just as he was when four lengths behind Canford Cliffs at Ascot.

"Beethoven is also in good form since Ascot. We think he has come on since his run at Ascot and will improve again from this run," he added on www.coolmore.com.

A bullish Hannon, meanwhile, believes Canford Cliffs is "at the top of his game" as he looks to add to his Group 1 tally.

Always highly regarded since his scintillating victory in last year's Coventry Stakes, the Tagula colt has lived up to his reputation in his last two races.

After defeats in the Greenham and the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, he has fairly bolted up in the Irish Guineas and in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Hannon has only won the prestigious race once before, with Reel Buddy, who was an unconsidered outsider seven years ago, so admits his feelings going into the race are different on this occasion.

"Reel Buddy was a 50-1 chance when he won this race in 2003, but Canford Cliffs is odds-on, so the pressure is that much greater," said Hannon. "However, he has done everything right at home since Royal Ascot, and I must say that he looks magnificent.

"He has improved physically - he is bigger and stronger, and we don't see the Goodwood undulations being a problem as he settles so much better than he did at Newmarket on Guineas day.

"He hadn't really come to himself then but now he is at the top of his game, and while ideally they will go a good gallop as it would help him relax, if they do go slow, as [Richard] Hughesie says, there is not a colt in Europe who can quicken like he can," he said on his website, www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"It's a Group 1 race and there's no hiding place, but I think if he runs up to his Ascot form he should have a chance of getting in the first three."

Andrew Balding's Dream Eater is still searching for his first success of the year, but a fine third behind Goldikova and Paco Boy in Royal Ascot's Queen Anne showed he is well up to competing at this level. "He's in terrific order and the track and the trip are exactly what he wants," said Balding.

Two-year-olds get their chance to shine in the seven-furlong Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes which can go to Stentorian.

Hannon inevitably holds a strong hand and his two runners will be well supported, but Mark Johnston also excels here and his representative has looked progressive this season.

Beaten only by the classy Zoffany last time, the son of Street Cry holds some good entries for the season so a big run and subsequent campaign is to be expected.

Cabal can take the Sopwith Handicap at Sandown for King George-winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute and champion jockey Ryan Moore.

Last seen at Beverley, the filly appeared unsuited by the undulating Yorkshire course so this track should be more up her street having won gamely at Doncaster previously.