O'Brien Confident That Gstaad Can Turn the Tables on Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes

The Irish trainer believes his colt came very close to turning the tables at Royal Ascot and expects the third clash between them to define the top European miler; he also confirmed plans for Scandinavia and Diamond Necklace for the Goodwood Festival

COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland (Special for Turf Diario).- Aidan O'Brien hopes third time's the charm. Following two consecutive defeats to Bow Echo (Night of Thunder), the Irish trainer is confident that Gstaad can finally turn the tables on his archrival when the pair clash once again in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1), one of the marquee events of the Goodwood Festival.

The son of Starspangledbanner, who has never finished outside the top two in his nine career starts, fell first by 2 3/4 lengths in the 2000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket before nearly exacting revenge in the St James's Palace Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, where he yielded by a mere head following a thrilling stretch duel.

For O'Brien, that performance confirmed that the gap between the two colts has virtually closed.

"It is always possible to turn the result around. At Ascot we were just a fraction short. He is a horse that keeps improving, and things didn't go completely smoothly for us that day either, yet he still ran a massive race," explained the Ballydoyle master.

The Irishman believes that neither of the two market leaders enjoyed an ideal trip at Royal Ascot, which is why he anticipates another top-tier showdown.

"We are really looking forward to running the race again. Hopefully Bow Echo is in the lineup because it will be a great contest. At Ascot things weren't perfect for us, though perhaps not for Bow Echo either. In the Guineas we felt we had to do all the heavy lifting out front, while Bow Echo enjoyed ideal cover throughout. Then at Ascot, we felt we didn't get the ideal run either. It is going to be very interesting, and that is precisely what makes these races so special."

The powerhouse Ballydoyle operation will arrive at Goodwood with several of its premier stars. In the Goodwood Cup (G1), defending champion Scandinavia (Justify) will once again lock horns with Trawlerman (Golden Horn), following the spectacular duel the two stayers waged in the Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot, where just a head separated them at the wire.

Scandinavia rides a six-race winning streak dating back to his victory at Goodwood last season, and O'Brien drew parallels between him and one of the finest stayers to ever pass through his stable.

"I think it will be very interesting to face Trawlerman again. Scandinavia is a horse very similar to Yeats (Sadler's Wells). He can sustain a very strong gallop for a long time and never wins by wide margins; he simply does what is required. It is hard to know how much more he has in reserve."

The conditioner also revealed that Illinois (Galileo), runner-up to Scandinavia at Goodwood last year, could join the lineup to bolster the Ballydoyle presence in the historic marathon event.

Furthermore, O'Brien's formidable squad will launch another high-caliber assault in the Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1) with Diamond Necklace, recent winner of the French 1000 Guineas and the Prix de Diane (G1).

"She is a very natural filly. We stepped her up to 2000 meters last time out, and we feel that distance suits her extremely well for now. We are delighted with how she is doing physically. She boasts an extraordinary pedigree and, being a daughter of St Mark's Basilica, she is a truly exciting prospect," concluded the trainer, who will target his third consecutive Nassau Stakes victory and seventh overall in his career.