Day three at Glorious Goodwood is headlined by the Qatar Nassau Stakes, a Group 1 for fillies and mares over a mile and a quarter with just over £340,000 for the winner.
It was won last year by Nashwa and she’s back to defend her crown in the hands of Hollie Doyle, with five rivals hoping to relieve them of the crown.
Enda McElhinney assesses the big race and takes a look at some of the other contests on day three at Glorious Goodwood.
3.35 - Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1, 1m2f)
French ace Blue Rose Cen is set to make her British bow in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and she has been all the rage with punters in the lead-up to the race.
Christopher Head’s star completed a rare treble at Chantilly when strolling to victory in the Prix de Diane in June, adding to victories in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and last year’s Marcel Boussac – a feat previously achieved by the likes of Zarkava, Divine Proportions and Allez France.
After that, this race was pinpointed by connections and they have been true to their word. She has strong claims and is one of a trio of three-year-olds getting 8lb from their four-year-old rivals, joined as she is by Caernarfon and Never Ending Story for Jack Channon and Aidan O’Brien respectively.
Tom Marquand partners the latter, with Ryan Moore opting to maintain his partnership with Above The Curve after they finished third in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh last month.
Nashwa arrives at Goodwood after winning the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in fine style back over a mile and is a major player on that showing but John & Thady Gosden’s filly was earlier turned over by AL HUSN at Newcastle in the Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes over this trip and perhaps Roger Varian’s filly is not getting the credit she deserves for that.
The daughter of Dubawi was beaten by Via Sistina on her comeback, finishing second behind a thriving rival, but has won both starts since at Ayr (Listed) and in that Newcastle Group 3. The form of the latter race has received several boosts and while she has something to find on ratings, maybe she offers some value against the big pair in the market.
3.00 - John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3, 1m4f)
Espionage goes for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore in this Group 3 after winning the Listed Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon last month on his seasonal bow. He was briefly in trouble in that race but Moore was unmoved and they got the job done on what was the jockey’s first visit to the west Ireland course. There could be plenty more to come from this son of Galileo and he is a worthy favourite.
Artistic Star for Ralph Beckett and Desert Hero for William Haggas have their claims too, but CHESSPIECE could be the one to surprise the market leader.
The Nathaniel colt has won two of this last three this term, a York handicap off a mark of 96 in May and the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton last month, when he was game in front and making all.
In between those outings he was an honourable third in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot over one mile and six furlongs when his stamina might have been stretched. Back at this trip in a small field where he may be able to dictate, and with his Hamilton run suggesting he’ll handle the undulations at Goodwood, Simon & Ed Crisford’s improving three-year-old makes some appeal.
