Alcohol Free shows her class to land Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy

Kingsclere trainer Andrew Balding was full of praise for Alcohol Free after she landed the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The three-year-old left it late to cross the winning post first, under Oisin Murphy, for her third G1 success in her career.

Poetic Flare finished in second, while the Richard Hannon-trained Snow Lantern came home in third.

Speaking to ITV Racing, Balding said: "It's a privilege just watching her in the mornings and you see her afterwards and she's hardly blowing, it's effortless.

"It was a rough race, but she was easily the best horse on the day and it was lovely to see her do that because we have always believed in her."

After the race, Balding gave an indication as to wear she will go next, having clocked up her third Group 1 success.

"We had a long debate, Mr [Jeff] Smith and I, about spending £5,000 of his hard-earned money and keeping her in the Juddmonte [International Stakes].

"It's a mile-and-a-quarter, it's a big ask, but she has one three Group 1s already and we have nothing to prove, so it would be a possibility."

Meanwhile Murphy, who last won the race in 2018 with Lightning Spear, was thrilled to win the G1 contest again.

"I can't thank everyone at Park House enough because she [Alcohol Free] can really be a handful in the mornings and Cassia [Cooper] has to deal with her everyday and she deserves a medal because it can be tough work.

"She is so so talented and what a thrill I got from that," added Murphy.

"She wasn't at her best at Newmarket in the Qipco 1000 Guineas, she was ill when she got home, but other than then she was foot perfect."

Jeff Smith, who owns the horse, explained his happiness after winning this race for the first time since 1984 - when Chief Singer won the race.

"This filly is something else and the way she has won this is incredible, I am thrilled to pieces and what a wonderful job Andrew and the team has done.

"I felt very hopeful, but she got pushed around and then she picked up and showed what she really is, she is a champion and she is the real deal."