3 minute read
It was a case of mission accomplished for Etaab after her short-head success in the Nayef Rosemary Stakes at Newmarket.
Trainer William Haggas looked a happy man after Paul Hanagan had driven his 8-1 chance just ahead of Belle D'or on an afternoon largely sponsored by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of both Nayef and the winning filly.
"The aim was to win a Listed race, and she has done that," said Haggas.
"Thankfully the ground was firm enough, and Sheikh Hamdan doesn't like keeping his fillies in training after three so I'd imagine she'll be retired. There's still the option if they want to have a crack at the Sun Chariot, as she's in it."
The Newmarket handler quickly made it a Listed double in the Princess Royal EBF Sakhee Stakes - but it is to be hoped Queen Of Ice will stick around a little longer.
Richard Hughes kept the 7-1 chance at the front of the pack, and she followed on from her victory in the Galtres Stakes at York by holding off Jordan Princess by three-quarters of a length.
Chris Richardson, of owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "She's a tough filly and will stay in training next year. I'd imagine that'll be it for the season.
"Criteria (the 3-1 favourite who was fourth) will also stay in training. Her run in the Park Hill Stakes took its toll."
Nabucco got back to winning ways in a thrilling renewal of the Mawatheeq Godolphin Stakes.
Without a win all season, he was stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time and after racing keen in the early stages, William Buick decided to go solo down the centre of the track.
In the closing stages the runners came back together, with Ayrad emerging as the main challenger on the far side, and then Red Galileo came with a late flourish on the other.
Ayrad and Nabuccu came very close together and the stewards were called to have a look, but in the three-way photo Nabuccu (9-2) beat Red Galileo by a short head, with a nose back to Ayrad. The placings remained unaltered following the inquiry.
Buick said: "He needed to find a bit of confidence because he was getting sick of losing and giving him some room helped. He got the trip OK. He is very tough and all he does is try for you."
The Shadwell Farm Handicap, run for horses who failed to make the cut in the Cambridgeshire, went the way of Gm Hopkins (7-1), giving Gosden and Buick a quick double.
Sent off at 7-1, the three-year-old has now won three out of three this season and scored with plenty in hand.
Kieren Fallon made a bold bid on Showboating down the middle of the track, but he was gasping for air entering the dip and Buick switched from the centre of the track to near the rail, coming away to beat Munaaser by two and three-quarter lengths.
Gosden said: "He didn't miss out on the Cambridgeshire by one, it was about 21! He's a character, but he travelled through the race well and is three from three this year. I'd like to give him one more run this season but it's a question of what he'll get in."