Goodwood: Asiatic full of Eastern promise

The highlight of the second day of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting is the BGC Sussex Stakes, a race in which the Classic generation have the opportunity to show their mettle against their elders. During the last decade, it's been 50-50 between three-year-olds and older horses, with five wins apiece. Antepost favourite Excellent Art will be bidding to become the third horse in the last 10 years - Rock Of Gibraltar (2002) and Giant's Causeway (2000), both of whom were also trained by Aidan O'Brien - to win the St James's Palace Stakes en route to landing this prize. The Pivotal colt has to have a major chance, but at around the 6/4 mark he doesn't appeal. He's clearly a high-class colt, but the form of his Royal Ascot win is easy to pick holes in, as Cockney Rebel injured himself during the race and Dutch Art definitely looked a non-stayer. Consequently, take him and current second favourite Ramonti on with South African raider Asiatic Boy, who is an extremely appealing betting proposition at 4/1 with Paddy Power. His trainer, Mike de Kock, isn't the type to tilt at windmills with his horses and the vibes have been really positive about this colt, who started his racing career in Argentina. There are question marks surrounding the selection, for although he has won on an easy surface, the improvement he demonstrated during his races in Dubai earlier this year came on dirt, the turf equivalent to which would be fast going. However, if the rain stays away, there is every chance that the ground will be good come Wednesday, which I believe will suit the four-year-old. As well as conditions, it's probably fair to say that Asiatic Boy has a bit to prove in terms of form, but he simply demolished everything that was put in front of him in his four races at Nad Al Sheba between January and March. And, given that he's had just seven career starts, there's every chance that there is more to come from the son of Not For Sale. Asiatic Boy became the first horse to win the UAE Triple Crown when storming away from his rivals to land the UAE Derby by nine and a half lengths. He likes to race up with the pace and will probably sit on the heels of the O'Brien-trained pacemaker, Trinity College, and when his jockey presses the button his nine rivals might not see which way he goes. Verdict: 1pt win Asiatic Boy @ 4/1 (Paddy Power)