AS hard as the weather tried to dampen the spirits of racegoers, the performances of Alcohol Free, Lady Bowthorpe, Suesa and Wonderful Tonight dazzled on the Sussex Downs to light up the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Alcohol Free (114) was the first filly to take to the stage in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes and a much-awaited clash with the best of three-year-old colts over a mile in Poetic Flare (112) plus an eagerly-awaited rematch with her Falmouth conqueror Snow Lantern (110).