Nahrain to bounce back at Goodwood after rusty Ascot run
Published:The Nassau Stakes has often proved among the better races at Royal Ascot and this year threatens to be no different and Nahrain can return to winning ways.
15:15 Goodwood – Nahrain @ 4/1
Nahrain disappointed last time at Royal Ascot, but it is hoped that this was over an inadequate trip of 1m and because it was her first start of the season.
Roger Varian’s runners is the highest rated horse in the race and returns to 1m2f here, the distance at which she won Group 1 Prix De L’Opera over in France last year.
John Gosden has two leading challengers, with Izzi Top a worthy favourite after landing four consecutive Group races.
The fact she is the choice of stable jockey of William Buick may be significant, but she has had a busy season and there is the possibility that this may catch up with her.
The Fugue is the other Gosden runner and benefits from the three-year-old weight allowance, which has helped five entrants from the age group win the Nassau Stakes in the past decade.
A firmer surface should also be of assistance, with the ground being softer than ideal for her at Ascot last time.
15:55 Goodwood – Alben Star @ 12/1
From a trends perspective, horses aged four or five have held superiority in the Stewards Cup of late, winning nine of the last ten renewals.
Meanwhile, horses towards the top of the betting tend to fare well, alongside those to have had at least three runs previously in the same season.
This brings in favourite Jamesie, but the horse may only have each-way claims as he tends to encounter trouble in running and is in the middle of a lengthy losing streak.
Therefore, Alben Star is preferred, especially as he travelled well for a long way in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
