Rip Van Winkle excites Aidan O'Brien

Last year's Sussex Stakes winner just failed in his bid to land back-to-back renewals of the one-mile feature at Glorious Goodwood when Canford Cliffs pounced late last month.

That was only his second start of the campaign after making his reappearance at Royal Ascot, also over a mile in the Queen Anne. He steps up to ten furlongs today, a distance he arguably put up a career-best effort over when second to Sea The Stars in the Eclipse last season.

"We were delighted with him in the Sussex. Obviously he started off at Ascot where he just got tired in the last half a furlong," said O'Brien. "We were happy with that and we're looking forward to him having a second run. We thought he'd progress after his first run and we expect him to progress again."

The supplementary entry of Richard Hannon's Dick Turpin added further spice to one of the highlights of the year. Owner John Manley forked out 50,000 to add his colt and jockey Richard Hughes believes there is no reason why the classy miler should not stay the extra distance.

"I can't wait to ride him. It will be interesting to see how he gets on over a mile and quarter," said Hughes. "He wants a bit of cut in the ground ideally but maybe that could stretch his stamina further. He's a big, tough horse. If he stays he's got loads of options. I can't see any reason why he won't stay. I know his pedigree says that he won't, but they can be wrong sometimes."

Tom Queally is excited about again riding Henry Cecil's Eclipse winner Twice Over. "It's a tough race as you'd expect for the big prize on offer and Rip Van Winkle looks the main danger and I think this is his trip," said Queally.

Khalid Abdullah's hand is strengthened by Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Byword, who defeated Twice Over by half a length at Ascot in June.

Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms breeding operation has sponsored the prestigious contest since 1989, but the powerful owner has yet to see his colours carried to victory.

Godolphin run Cavalryman and Cutlass Bay, with the pair to be ridden by Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon respectively.

Meanwhile, Brian Meehan's Dangerous Midge will carry top weight in tomorrow's totesport Ebor.Having missed an intended engagement at Newbury on Saturday, the impressive Old Newton Cup winner will bid to land his second major handicap of the summer.

Donald McCain's money-spinner Overturn has been declared as he looks to follow up victories in the Northumberland Plate on the level and Galway Hurdle over timber, but Harris Tweed, Hanoverian Baron and Deauville Flyer all miss the cut.

Harris Tweed runs instead in today's Great Voltigeur Stakes, and although the Group 2 contest represents a leap in class, William Haggas's Edinburgh Cup winner is napped to be up to the task.