Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, knows exactly what it takes to conquer the Group 1 Nassau Stakes after guiding Nashwa to victory in 2022. In a pre‑race interview she breaks down Thursday’s showdown on a glittering Goodwood card, offering insights that blend tactical analysis with a dash of personal enthusiasm. 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 will line up against just four opponents, making her a clear favourite in the eyes of many pundits. Diamond Necklace is an unbeaten daughter of the celebrated St Mark’s Basilica, trained by Aidan O’Brien.
Official ratings place her only a fraction ahead of her nearest rivals, Friendly Soul and See The Fire, but the filly’s upward trajectory and a nine‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance give her a distinct edge. Already a multiple Group 1 winner, she proved her stamina over ten furlongs in the French Oaks, handling the fastest ground she has ever encountered. The forecast for Goodwood’s Downs suggests a softer surface, a condition she should navigate without difficulty given her proven versatility.
Friendly Soul, a mare with a wealth of class, emerges as the most credible challenger should Diamond Necklace falter. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Friendly Soul boasts a Group 1 victory of her own and impressed observers with a striking run in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.
That performance came after a long lay‑off and a successful return at Haydock, signalling that she possesses both the talent and the resilience to upset the odds. The third contender, See The Fire, is the creation of Andrew Balding. She ran creditably in the Middleton Stakes at York in May and was a near‑winner in this race two years ago.
However, her recent record at the top level has slipped, now extending to thirteen starts without a win. While she still carries experience, the length of her winless streak may weigh on her confidence. Beyond the Nassau Stakes, Doyle also touched on other racing storylines that will dominate the weekend. She hinted that Thunder Call could play a pivotal role in the Shergar Cup at Ascant, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday.
The Shergar Cup will feature five horses from Jamie Lynch’s stable, pitting international stars against each other in a festive, team‑based competition. Doyle also highlighted the cross‑sport curiosity of former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle, who is now pursuing a dream at the Cheltenham Festival with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi.
The former footballer’s transition into National Hunt ownership adds a compelling human‑interest angle to the weekend’s narrative. In the world of flat racing, she praised Kalpana’s recent triumph over Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and noted that legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours – a testament to his enduring impact on the sport. Turning to the Epsom Classic, Doyle pointed out that Benvenuto Cellini will lead a four‑strong Aidan O’Brien contingent, underscoring the Irish trainer’s continued dominance in the Derby scene. Shifting focus to the two‑year‑old division, Doyle expressed enthusiasm for Cut A Dash, a colt she has followed since his debut win at York.
Cut A Dash is slated for the Group 2 Markel Richmond Stakes (2:25) on Thursday, where he will face Richard Hannon’s colt, who narrowly missed out on the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing a length behind Great Barrier Reef. That form suggests the colt could challenge the favourite Flann Sunna, whose two victories at Windsor and Ascot have not been particularly impressive. Levy’s mount, a promising youngster, appears well‑placed on the weight scale against the official ratings of Simon and Ed Crisford’s colt.
A strong showing could set the stage for a probable tilt at the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York next month. Doyle also mentioned Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Night In Vegas, a proven course and distance winner who finished close behind Cut A Dash in the Coventry.
His credentials make him a serious contender in any major juvenile race. In the older‑horse division, Bay Of Brilliance, a Derby‑fourth‑placer, will contest the Group 3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes (3:00) on Thursday. After a disappointing effort in the German equivalent, the filly’s strong course form makes her a solid pick, though Doyle leans toward Joseph O’Brien’s progressive colt ENCELADUS, who could use the race as a stepping stone toward the world’s oldest Classic, the St Leger. Doyle reminded readers to stay connected via the Sky Sports Racing app for the latest news, interviews, and features, ensuring fans never miss a story from the racing world.
She also discussed the King George V Stakes winner, whose recent victory was capped by runner‑up Al Azd. Doyle expects the unbeaten colt to maintain his perfect record as he steps up to Pattern company over the same twelve‑furlong distance. The draw for the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap (1:50) has not been kind to DECADE OF TIME, yet Doyle believes the horse can still make an impact despite a wide gate. Her husband Tom Marquand will face a challenge from stall 14, where Jack Channon’s colt, who performed admirably on his first attempt at the Nottingham trip, will be a factor.
Another intriguing runner is Sean Woods’s Savvy Disko, who excelled over a slightly shorter distance at Lingfield. Paired with rising jockey Billy Loughnane, the horse could thrive even with a nine‑pound higher mark in this hotter race. Richard Hannon and Sean Levey, both involved with Cut A Dash in the Richmond, also have strong prospects in the Whispering Angel Nursery Handicap (4:45) with SHADOW KING.
The colt must overcome a penalty for his recent Doncaster win over a shorter trip, but the seven‑furlong distance appears ideal, and a favourable low draw could unlock further improvement. The Bookkeeper, trained by former stable jockey Richard Hughes, delivered a solid performance in the Woodcote at Epsom, suggesting the horse will feel at home on the Goodwood track. Ryan Moore is a leading choice for the son of Sioux Nation, who is also well‑positioned for success.
Doyle concluded by promising a follow‑up analysis for Friday’s card, which will feature the Group 2 sprint, the King George Qatar Stakes, and the Coral Golden Mile Handicap. Her insights, delivered to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, blend expert knowledge with genuine passion, offering fans a comprehensive preview of one of the season’s most exciting weekends.