Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, knows exactly what it takes to conquer the Group 1 Nassau Stakes after riding Nashwa to victory in 2022. In this preview she breaks down Thursday’s showdown on a glittering Goodwood card, offering insight into the contenders, the conditions, and the storylines that could shape the outcome.
The centerpiece of day three at the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the Qatar Nassau Stakes (3:35), a fillies’ Group 1 contest that appears to be dominated by the dazzling Diamond Necklace. The filly, a daughter of the unbeaten St Mark’s Basilica from Aidan O’Brien’s yard, starts as the clear favorite, backed by a modest field of just four rivals. Official ratings place Diamond Necklace a hair ahead of her nearest challengers, Friendly Soul and See The Fire, but the gap is narrow enough to keep the race interesting.
The Irish‑trained star also enjoys a nine‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance, which should further enhance her chances over the ten‑furlong distance. Diamond Necklace has already secured multiple Group 1 victories, most notably a commanding win in the French Oaks where she handled the quickest ground of her career. The forecast for Goodwood suggests a softer surface, but her proven versatility means she should handle the likely softer going on the Downs without difficulty. Friendly Soul, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is perhaps the most likely horse to benefit if Diamond Necklace fails to deliver a dominant performance.
The mare boasts a solid class record and impressed at Royal Ascot with a striking run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, a race she contested on her first start back after a long lay‑off. Her form suggests she can rise to the occasion when the top‑rated filly is off her game.
The third contender, See The Fire, is an Andrew Balding trainee who showed promise in the Middleton Stakes at York in May and was a close runner‑up in this same Nassau Stakes two years ago. However, her recent form at the highest level has been less encouraging, with a string of 13 consecutive defeats in Group races.
While she remains a capable runner, the weight of that losing streak makes her a less likely winner. Beyond the Nassau Stakes, Doyle also touched on several other races that will feature on the Goodwood card and beyond. She highlighted the upcoming Shergar Cup at Ascot, where Thunder Call is expected to play a role, and mentioned the international showdown featuring five horses from Jamie Lynch’s stable.
In a nod to cross‑sport personalities, she referenced Kevin Doyle’s pursuit of Cheltenham Festival glory with Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, and celebrated Ryan Moore’s recent MBE award in the King’s Birthday Honours. Turning to the two‑year‑old division, Doyle expressed enthusiasm for Cut A Dash, a Richard Hannon colt who has been a personal favourite since his debut win at York.
She believes he is well‑placed for the Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes (2:25) on Thursday. Cut A Dash was only a length behind Great Barrier Reef in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a performance that suggests he could overturn the odds on the current favourite, Flann Sunna, whose two wins at Windsor and Ascot have not been particularly impressive. Levey’s mount, backed by official ratings, appears to be a better weight‑for‑age prospect than Simon and Ed Crisford’s colt, and could be a strong candidate for a future tilt at the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York next month.
Doyle also voiced support for Eve Johnson Houghton’s Night In Vegas, a proven course and distance winner who finished close behind Cut A Dash in the Coventry, indicating he has the credentials to compete at a higher level. In the older horse division, Bay Of Brilliance, who finished fourth in the Epsom Derby, is set to contest the Group 3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes (3:00) on Thursday.
After a disappointing run in the German equivalent, the filly is looking to bounce back, and her previous course form gives her an edge in this traditional St Leger trial. Nevertheless, Doyle favours Joseph O’Brien’s progressive colt ENCELADUS, who has been building a strong case for the world’s oldest Classic. Doyle also reminded readers not to miss the latest racing news, interviews, and features on the Sky Sports Racing app, emphasizing the convenience of staying up‑to‑date on the go. She noted that the King George V Stakes winner, who was narrowly beaten by Al Azd, should continue his unbeaten season as he steps into Pattern company over the same twelve‑furlong distance.
Despite a challenging draw for DECADE OF TIME in the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap (1:30), Doyle believes the horse can still make an impact. Personal anecdotes also made an appearance: her husband Tom (Marquand) will be watching from stall 14 as Jack Channon’s colt, who performed admirably on his first attempt at Nottingham behind Heraldry, seeks to improve. Other noteworthy runners include Sean Woods’s Savvy Disko, who has a wide draw to overcome but showed promise over a slightly shorter trip at Lingfield, and may thrive with a nine‑pound higher mark in the hotter race with Billy Loughnane aboard.
Additionally, Richard Hannon and Sean Levey, who teamed up with Cut A Dash in the Richmond, have strong prospects in the Whispering Angel Nursery Handicap (4:45) with SHADOW KING, who must overcome a penalty from his Doncaster win but looks well‑suited to the seven‑furlong distance. Finally, Doyle praised The Bookkeeper, trained by former stable jockey Richard Hughes, after a solid performance in the Woodcote at Epsom, suggesting the horse should feel comfortable at the track. Ryan Moore is also a strong booking for the son of Sioux Nation, who is well‑positioned for success. Doyle promised to return with her thoughts on Friday’s card, which will feature the Group 2 sprint King George Qatar Stakes and the Coral Golden Mile Handicap, before concluding that her insights are based on a deep familiarity with the sport and a keen eye for emerging talent.