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All eyes were on Nashwa this evening as the dual Group 1 winner bid to get back to winning ways, but it was the progressive Al Husn who came home best to spring something of a small surprise.
Al Husn nabs Nashwa to claim Hoppings Fillies' Stakes
All eyes were on Nashwa this evening as the dual Group 1 winner bid to get back to winning ways, but it was the progressive Al Husn who came home best to spring something of a small surprise.
Last year's Prix de Diane and Nassau Stakes winner was sent off the 8/11 favourite to get back to winning ways for the Gosden's at Newcastle this evening and Hollie Doyle soon made her intentions clear from the outset.
Doyle attempted to dictate matters out in front, but Nashwa always looked to be racing slightly enthusiastically as Heavenly Breath assured the market leader would not get things her own way up top.
Victory still looked likely for the 8/11 favourite entering the final two furlongs as the daughter of Frankel quickened up nicely to take a few lengths out of her rivals. However, she began to hang left-handed under pressure and in doing so presented an opportunity to main market rival Al Husn (3/1).
Roger Varian's progressive filly came into this on a steep upward curve following a snug Listed success at Ayr and she began to stay on strongly against the nearside rail.
The Shadwell-owned filly really commenced to hit top stride as swept past Nashwa in the closing stages for a half-length success.
Jockey Jim Crowley said to Sky Sports Racing: "She's clearly thriving, she looked so well in herself tonight.
"She felt in great form, I was bit concerned I was drawn nine, but I was able to get a really nice position.
"It was a bit of a rush when we turned for home, but she picked up nicely and hit the line well.
"She's improving all the time and off that run you crack on and aim a little bit higher, there's no reason why she can't progress. She wants to win, she's not big but she's a little terrier.
When asked about a tilt at the Group 1 Nassau Stakes, he added:
"I think so. I'll speak to Roger and connections, but she'd have nothing to lose running in a race like that and everything to gain.
"Touch wood she'll progress again."
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for Nashwa's owner Imad Al Sagar, expressed his disappointment with the performance.
"I thought it was disappointing, we expected a really a good run for her as she needed the race in France, but she's been straightforward at home since.
"Hollie was really happy apart from the last bit so we obviously have a little bit of thinking to do to see what the best plan might be.
"In France, I knew we were in a bit more trouble but here I was pretty confident.
"Ideally we'll still think about the Nassau, but we have to give it some good consideration."
Clarets produces Vintage performance to land Gosforth Park Cup
Richard Fahey's Vintage Clarets posted a fine effort to take the Gosforth Park Cup Handicap at Newcastle this evening.
Richard Fahey's runner held plenty of back class as a juvenile having finished third in the 2021 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and the four-year-old seemingly appreciated the switch to an all-weather surface for the first time when pulling nicely clear in the closing stages.
The gelded son of Ardad arrived following a snug success at Chester last-time-out and always looked to be travelling kindly in behind Bedford Flyer.
He quickened up smartly when the gap opened approaching the furlong marker and always looked to be doing plenty out in front. Karl Burke's Korker (10/1) kept on well to grab the second spot but ultimately finished one-and-a-quarter lengths behind the 12/1 winner.
Front-runner Fine Wine (12/1) stayed on nicely under pressure for third although the 5/2 market leader, Badri, never looked to be travelling within himself and ultimately only managed to beat one horse home.
Mulrennan said to Sky Sports Racing: "He's done that well, I think the bit of rain we had might have just helped him.
"He's a smart horse, he's still quite babyish actually but he's improved with every run this year and team Fahey were very keen on him this morning when I spoke to them.
"It's always good here when there's a good gallop to aim at, I was able to get some cover and he did the rest.
"There'll be a lot more to come from him, he's a big, scopey horse."