Channon has shout with Anna

British summer racing hits a peak today with the first day of "Glorious" Goodwood, where the traditional Panama hats really will be needed.

Racegoers enjoying the view over the rolling Sussex Downs should be bathed in sunshine as what promises to be a superb five days gets under way with three Group events on a cracking card.

Mick Channon has very few peers when it comes to training two-year-olds and his Anna Walhaan has sound claims in the £75,000 Gerrard Richmond Stakes.

This son of Green Desert could not have been more impressive when bolting up on his debut Nottingham last month.

He travelled very well behind the leaders before hitting the front with a furlong to run.

He ran a bit green once in front but only had to be pushed clear to win by three and a half lengths.

And encouragingly the form of that race has worked out pretty well.

Runner-up Short Change was just touched off in a similar contest and the third, Ashdown Express, has been very impressive in winning twice since.

Anna Walhaan, who holds entries in all the top juvenile events, comes from a yard which has already sent out Queen's Logic and Kulachi to win good juvenile events this season.

It looks significant that his trainer steps him up to Group Two company.

Michael Stoute's Alexius was held up in his preparation at the start of this season but he can make up for lost time in the Peugeot Gordon Stakes.

The son of Rainbow Quest was not seen out this term until accounting for Vodafone Derby eighth Putra Sandhurst at Newmarket.

That was over 10 furlongs and Alexius, rated a possible St Leger candidate, will relish every yard of the mile and a half of this Group Three event.

Proud Native ran no sort of race at Ascot on Sunday but can bounce back in the King George Stakes for David Nicholls.

His trainer is rightly renowned for his handling of his sprinters and this one has generally been in good form this year.

He had run two good races in valuable company in Ireland prior to his Ascot debacle and easily won a conditions event at Sandown last month.