Artemis Preview

John Dunlop's Tactic will aim to continue his rapid progression in Thursday's Artemis Goodwood Cup.

The four-year-old has improved out of all recognition this season, winning a York Listed race by 14 lengths, smashing the track record in the process, as well as beating Dermot Weld's Profound Beauty in the Curragh Cup.

Angus Gold, owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager, said: "He's progressing very quickly and has been impressive so far. He was always a nice horse but an immature horse - both mentally and physically - as he's quite a late foal."

He added: "The potential was always there and it's nice to get it out of him. Obviously York was a surprise, just in the way the race was run, and I wasn't quite sure what it meant so it was nice to go to Ireland and see him do it again.

"Interestingly, for a Sadler's Wells he likes fast ground. I'd be surprised if he didn't stay as he travelled very well both times this year so I would think he'll stay, although you never quite know."

There are not many people confident enough to disagree with the Queen, but Richard Hannon is one of them.

While Her Majesty feels Free Agent should be dropped in trip, the trainer is adamant he is laden with stamina.

"I have had several conversations with Her Majesty about Free Agent and we differ in our views," Hannon told his website, www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"She is of the opinion that maybe we should be dropping back in trip, whereas I feel that all the horse does is stay and that we should be looking to go up in distance.

"Free Agent did my case no harm when winning that mile-and-six-furlong handicap at York last time, so the Queen and John Warren (racing manager) have agreed to let us have a go at the big one."