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Nashwa's participation in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday has been confirmed by reliable sources.
John and Thady Gosden have decided to target their multiple Group One winner at the mile contest instead of the Qipco Champion Stakes, which covers 10 furlongs.
Owner Imad Alsagar’s Blue Diamond Stud posted on Twitter, now known as X,“Confirmed: Nashwa will run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes @Ascot on Saturday.”
In July, the Falmouth Stakes saw the 5YO triumph at an elite level once again, this time over a mile at Newmarket. Following this victory, she was placed in the Nassau Stakes, the Juddmonte International, and the Irish Champion Stakes, all of which were over an additional two furlongs. Despite this, jockey Hollie Doyle has no concerns about reducing the distance.
She said this week, “I think she’s very versatile and very effective whatever the ground and whatever the trip.
“You need horses like her, she’s carried me now for the past two years and she always produces the goods.”
Trueshan, another old favourite, will also be partnering with Doyle in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup. Trueshan has won the race for the past three years and Doyle is heading to Ascot with confidence after recent wins in the Doncaster Cup and the Prix Du Cadran at ParisLongchamp.
“It would be pretty remarkable to do it for the fourth time but he seems better than ever, so fingers crossed,” the rider told Sky Sports Racing.
“The way the year started out, it was a bit touch and go at one point with his performances early on, but they sorted him out, found the key to him again and he’s had a new lease of life.
“In the Cadran, we found another way of being able to ride him and that’s great. I think all of my rides won’t mind any cut in the ground and he’ll be happy even if it’s a deluge.
Saint Lawrence, Doyle's mount for the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes, is considered a longshot. However, it is worth noting that he is reportedly in high spirits.
She added, “He won the Wokingham very nicely and he was just touched off in a Group One in France which was heartbreaking, but that was on quite slow ground, so hopefully the soft ground won’t be too much of an issue for him.
“We know he’s got a good race in him and he just needs things to fall right. He’s in excellent form, his work’s been really solid and he looks a picture.”