Qatar Nassau Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 1)

Off time: 15:13 | Winning time: 2m 8.43s

(1)

Running Lion^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110| D

17/2

Convincing winner of Duke of Cambridge at Royal Ascot last summer and ended 2024 with a fine second in Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp. However, not at the same level so far this year, but can at least have her effort in Falmouth at Newmarket excused (edgy before then spent force once headed).

Form: 72-5248

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(2)

See The Fire⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 119| D

5/2

Very smart and consistent filly who stepped up on reappearance when absolutely blowing apart Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York (10.3f) in May. Ran another belter when finding only a couple of males too strong in Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot last month and she looks the obvious threat to Whirl.

Form: 135-513

(3)

Bedtime Story^h1⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| BF

9/2

Looked destined for the very top when winning her first 4 starts, particularly when a wide-margin winner of the Chesham at Royal Ascot, but she came up short in Group 1s in the autumn. Low-key return at Longchamp in May, but back on the up when runner-up in Prix de Diane at Chantilly last month.

Form: 1155-62

(5)

Cercene⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gary Carroll| T: J G Murphy| OR: 113

11/1

Likeable type who ran a fine race when third in Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in May before showing much improved form to land Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, her willing attitude in evidence having been headed. Contender should either market leader not bring their A-game.

Form: 17-3231

(4)

Whirl³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| D

6/5

Took huge step forward from reappearance when impressive winner of the Musidora at York. Narrowly denied by stablemate Minnie Hauk in Oaks the following month but added a top-level success to her CV in Pretty Polly at the Curragh last month. Still unexposed at middle distances and sets the bar.

Form: 11-6121

Forecasts

Whirl (6/5), See The Fire (5/2), Bedtime Story (9/2), Running Lion (17/2), Cercene (11/1)

The smallest field since 2016 but there's no lack of intrigue with a mouthwatering clash in prospect between WHIRL and See The Fire. Preference is for the former, who displayed a willing attitude to land her first top-level success in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last month and that form has subsequently been franked by the runner-up. Andrew Balding's 4-y-o ran a cracker when third in the Prince of Wales's but conceding 9 lb to a filly of Whirl's calibre may prove beyond her.