WOOTTON Bassett will drop down in class and trip for next Tuesday’s bet365 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Richard Fahey’s three-year-old was unbeaten as a juvenile, landing the Group One Grand Criterium at Longchamp in October on his final start under Warrington’s champion jockey Paul Hanagan.

But following a belated return, which meant he missed the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, he has disappointed.

He was fifth in the French equivalent at Longchamp before being way behind Frankel in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Now he will drop down to Group Three level in next Tuesday‘s seven-furlong contest. Trainer Fahey said: “We’re happy with the horse again now, he’s working well and I’ll put him in the Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood.

“He’ll also have an entry in the Prix Maurice de Gheest but if the ground’s ok next week he’ll run in the Lennox.”

Meanwhile Richard Hughes admits he tried to keep out of the way of the stewards ahead of next week’s QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Hughes will partner Canford Cliffs as he takes on unbeaten 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner Frankel in the mile feature.

However, after missing the July meeting at Newmarket due to a suspension, Hughes was careful not to incur a further ban which would have prevented him from partnering Canford Cliffs.

He said: “All my life I have looked for a horse like Canford Cliffs and I was not going to miss the ride on him – I won’t get another chance.

“I cannot wait for the Sussex Stakes. I am looking forward to it just as much as the race against Goldikova at Royal Ascot – we got that job done.

“Canford Cliffs is the best I have ever ridden – I have ridden some good horses in my career but the first time I sat on this lad, I had never ridden anything like him.”