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Sky Lantern ready to light up the Nassau Stakes

| 02.08.2013

Sky Lantern lines up for the Nassau Stakes as 2/1 favourite in the absence of The Fugue after his disappointing Eclipse run.

The Richard Hannon-trained grey filly should arguably have a secured a hat-trick of Group 1 victories, but suffered a controversial loss to Elusive Kate in the Falmouth Stakes last month.

The three-year-old was second in that Newmarket race after being reportedly struck by Elusive Kate’s jockey William Buick.

An appeal was launched by the Sky Lantern team but it was thrown out and the result stood.

Nevertheless she won the English 1000 Guineas by a length and the Coronation Cup by four to see her head the betting here.

She will be ridden by Richard Hughes, a man in fine form at Goodwood having guided Toronado to victory over Dawn Approach in the Sussex Stakes.

History shows that six of the last 10 favourites have won the Nassau, but Sky Lantern will be challenged by fellow three-year-old Integral, who is available at 6/1.

Sir Michael Stoute’s horse impressed to win the Maiden Fillies Stakes at Goodwood in May, and backed that up with a strong ride to claim a listed win at Sandown in early July.

The daughter of Red Clubs, Sky Lantern will also face a tough fight once again from Just the Judge, who was runner up to her in the 1000 Guineas and third in the Coronation Cup.

The brown filly did come home first in the Irish 1000 Guineas, however, and will tempt many at a price of 7/1.

Sky Lantern’s only other defeat this year came in the Nell Gwyn Stakes in April to Hot Snap.

Sir Henry Cecil’s entry is 9/1 to win here in what would be just her fourth start, and though she won her first two races, will attract caution after a difficult run in the English 1000 Guineas when favourite, coming home ninth.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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Author

Richard Marsh

Richard loves his sport, especially if it involves the sound of tyres screaming around a race track. He's not fussy though and his '90s Premier League nostalgia and knowledge of team nicknames is tough to match.