Qatar Nassau Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 2m 13.37s

(5)

Above The Curve³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 113| D

7/1

Group 1 winner at 3 and added another pattern success to her CV when seeing off last weekend's Prix Rothschild winner Mqse de Sevigne in Saint-Cloud Group 2 in May. Creditable 3¼ lengths third to Via Sistina in Pretty Polly at the Curragh (1¼m, good) since. Handles testing ground. Should run well.

Form: 137-713

(6)

Al Husn³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 107| D

9/1

Smart filly who made it 6 wins in her last 7 starts when fending off a below-par Nashwa by ½ length in the Group 3 Hoppings at Newcastle (1¼m, AW) in June. Well worth her place at the highest level.

Form: 111-211

(4)

Nashwa²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 119| BF| CD

11/4

Won the Frenck Oaks and this race last summer. Back to form with a bang when an impressive 5-length winner of the Falmouth at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) 3 weeks ago. Acts on soft. Bold show looks assured.

Form: 124-421

(1)

Blue Rose Cen⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Aurelien Lemaitre| T: C H Head| OR: 117| D

10/11

Won the French 1000 Guineas in May and well suited by the step up to 1¼m when a 4-length winner of the French Oaks at Chantilly in June. The return to softer ground won't be an issue. Leading claims.

Form: 211-111

(3)

Caernarfon⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Beasley| T: J Channon| OR: 111

25/1

Reached the frame in the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks on her first 2 outings this year. Respectable 3 lengths sixth of 16 to Waipiro in Hampton Court at Royal Ascot (1¼m) last time. Likeable filly who will be fine on the ground but looks sure to find a few too strong again.

Form: 131-436

(2)

Never Ending Story²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110

33/1

Smart filly who chased home Blue Rose Cen in French Oaks at Chantilly but hasn't reproduced that form in the Pretty Polly and Falmouth since. Even a return to her best won't be good enough.

Form: 3-15278

Forecasts

Blue Rose Cen (10/11), Nashwa (11/4), Above The Curve (7/1), Al Husn (9/1), Caernarfon (25/1), Never Ending Story (33/1)

A much-anticipated clash between the last 2 French Oaks winners BLUE ROSE CEN and Nashwa. The former was having her first attempt at 1¼m when bolting up at Chantilly in June and can emulate Nashwa who followed up in this race last year. Nashwa looked better than ever when easily winning the Falmouth at Newmarket last month and is clear second pick ahead of Above The Curve.