Nassau Stakes 2023: Blue Rose Cen and Nashwa dominate betting
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The last two winners of the French Oaks head Coral’s betting for Thursday’s Qatar Nassau Stakes 2023 at Glorious Goodwood.
This year’s Prix de Diane star Blue Rose Cen is the 11/10 favourite, followed on 2/1 by predecessor Nashwa, who defends this Group One crown.
“Although Nashwa returned to winning ways in style when winning the Falmouth Stakes earlier this month, she’s still only second favourite for a repeat victory in the Nassau Stakes, with the market headed by the year-younger Prix de Diane winner Blue Rose Cen,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
John and Thady Gosden’s Nashwa was a stunning winner of Goodwood’s day three feature last season, backing up her victory at Chantilly.
She had been some way below that level of form in her early runs this season, but back down to a mile in the Falmouth at Newmarket’s July meeting she returned to her brilliant best.
Hollie Doyle has been an ever present on Nashwa in her 11 starts to date in her role as retained rider for owner Imad Al Sagar and said the Nassau, which is part of the Qipco British Champions Series, has always been her main target.
“We never lost faith with her when she was beaten at Saint-Cloud and Newcastle, although as a Group One filly you don’t like to see them beaten in slightly lesser races,” said Doyle.
“Every time I rode her, I was getting off and saying she’d come on again for the run, and at Newcastle I made the running and she never really relaxed, which is why she got tired late on.
“Winning so well over a mile in the Falmouth opens up new avenues for her later on, as that was definitely her most impressive performance, but the Nassau was always her main target and she’s where we want her now.”
Nashwa will need to bring that Newmarket level of form to the table again, though, as Blue Rose Cen has looked every inch a superstar.
Trained by Christopher Head, she won the Prix Marcel Boussac last term and the French 1000 Guineas and Oaks, all in impressive fashion.
The daughter of Churchill landed the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches by a length and three-quarters before thriving for the step up to 10 furlongs in the Prix de Diane, winning by four lengths.
On now facing a mouth-watering clash with Nashwa, Head told Sky Sports Racing: “I can’t wait to see that, like all the racegoers and lovers of races.
“She’s pretty much shown she can go on any ground – she’s been on firmer ground, she’s been on heavy ground and is possibly better on softer ground – I just can’t wait to see her run.”
Nashwa also clashes with Joseph O’Brien’s Above The Curve, who beat her in the Prix Corrida in France, and Al Husn, her conqueror in the Hoppings Stakes at Newcastle who is ridden by Coral ambassador Jim Crowley.
Jack Channon’s Caernarfon and Aidan O’Brien’s Never Ending Story make up the six-runner field.
11/10 Blue Rose Cen
2/1 Nashwa
13/2 Al Husn
8/1 Above The Curve
20/1 Caernarfon
28/1 Never Ending Story
All odds and market correct at date of publication
