The Group 1 Nassau Stakes looks set to serve up a thriller in the latest clash of the generations at Glorious Goodwood on Thursday.
Emily Upjohn has failed to score in three outings in her five-year-old campaign, but her second place in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh provided encouragement for trainers John & Thady Gosden.
The multiple Group 1 winner is the leading contender for the older cast and the quality quartet of three-year-olds are led by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Opera Singer, who was just touched off in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out.
That race could prove to be the crucial form line as 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka was not too far behind in fourth and See The Fire was next home in fifth.
Prix de Diane heroine Sparkling Plenty – seeking a hat-trick and boasting a £5million price tag – could be the wildcard for Thursday’s 15:35 after being sent across the English Channel by French handler Patrice Cottier.
The latest Nassau Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Nassau Stakes 2024 verdict
Timeform: A good renewal. OPERA SINGER had 1000 Guineas winner Emalka behind in fourth when runner-up in the Coronation at Royal Ascot and can open her Group 1 account for the year with the step up to 1¼m promising to suit. The longer distance should also be in the favour of Roger Varian’s filly and she’s second choice ahead of Prix de Diane heroine Sparkling Plenty. Emily Upjohn is pick of the older brigade after her second in the Pretty Polly.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Nassau Stakes 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Nassau Stakes 2024.
Doha
Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Hector Crouch Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 6
Very well bred filly who is progressing nicely, following 1m Royal Ascot handicap success by finishing second in a listed race at Pontefract (1m again). Likely she has more to offer but this is a jump in class.
**
Emily Upjohn
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 10
High-class mare who left first 2 run runs this year behind (although still not at very best) when ½-length second in Group 1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh (1¼m, good to soft), worn down only late on by Bluestocking. May need to get back to her best to see off a strong 3-y-o challenge. Drawn widest.
***
Lady Boba
Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 3
Improving filly who landed Fontainebleau listed event (1¼m, soft) to end 2023. Placed in Group races over 1½m at Haydock this summer but needs improvement to get heavily involved at the highest level.
**
Lumiere Rock
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: D. B. McMonagle Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 9
Smart filly but comfortably held by Emily Upjohn on latest Pretty Polly form.
**
Novus
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: Tom Queally Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 2
Smart filly who ended 2023 with a 1¼m Newmarket Group 3 success on soft ground. Added to her fine Goodwood record when second in a 1m listed race (soft) in May but not in the same form on a quicker surface. Up against it at this level.
*
Stay Alert
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: David Egan Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 4
Really smart performance to win the 6-runner Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket (9f, good, 5/1) on reappearance in May and possibly unsuited by softer ground when well behind Emily Upjohn in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last month.
***
Elmalka
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 1
Relished a well-run 1m when getting up close home to win the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on just her third career start. Finished 2¾ lengths the behind reopposing Opera Singer when fourth in Coronation at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) but can narrow that gap with 1¼m likely to play to her strengths.
****
Opera Singer
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 8
Created a deep impression when a 5-length winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac (1m, good to firm) on her final 2-y-o start. Fell short of that level when third in the Irish 1000 Guineas but bettered that form when length second to Porta Fortuna in Coronation at Royal Ascot since. 1¼m promises to suit.
*****
See The Fire
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 7
Bounced back from a heavy defeat in 1000 Guineas on reappearance when good 3¾ lengths fifth to Porta Fortuna in Coronation at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm). Respectable first attempt at 1¼m when 7½ lengths fourth of 6 to City of Troy in Eclipse at Sandown (soft) 26 days ago. Improvement required.
**
Sparkling Plenty
Trainer: P. Cottier Jockey: Cristian Demuro Age: 3 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 5
Built on her success in the Group 2 Sandringham over 1m at Chantilly when coming from last to first to follow up in the Prix de Diane back at Chantilly (1¼m, good) a fortnight later. Al Shaqab have bought into her since. Player.
****
Thursday Goodwood Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Goodwood on Thursday
- Ruby Walsh’s ITV Racing tips for Glorious Goodwood Day 3
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for Goodwood on Thursday
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Glorious Goodwood 2024 race times and schedule
- How to watch Glorious Goodwood: TV channel guide and free live stream details
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