Glorious Goodwood 2011 - Nassau Stakes

3.15 Goodwood

Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes (British Champions' Series) (Fillies' Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £104,914

Pick: Snow Fairy (win)

Crystal Capella: A Group 1 filly in all but name, with 7 wins from & 12 proved as good as ever when slamming her field in Group 2 at Newmarket over 1m4f; Taking on some of world’s best but long been capable and drop down to 10 furlongs no problem at all.

Field Day: Made progression stepped up to Group company last year, signing off with excellent fourth in Group 1 Prix L’Opera; Beaten long way in Dahila Stakes by I’m A Dreamer and no show when seventh in Middleton or sixth in Widnsor Forest; Hard to fancy here.

Midday: Took her own performances to a new level when completing a hat-trick in Group 1s last summer & would have made it four but for awful trip in Breeders Cup F&M Turf; As good as ever when taking Middleton Stakes from progressive performer and reeled in by top class colt on comeback trail in Coronation Cup last season, having been clear at 2f pole; No answer to Misty For Me last time but will get close today, as she gave away too much rope; expect a bold bid for a hat – trick of wins here.

Principal Role: Continued progression from last season when making a good reappearance here and following that up with Newcastle listed win; This is a new level from that and would be doing well to place here.

Snow Fairy: Improved out of all recognition last season for step up to middle distances, completing Oaks double in empathic style here before valiant second to Midday (btn 3 lengths, improved since) in Yorkshire Oaks; didn’t stay in Ledger but completed remarkable Hong Kong double at backend of last season, beating top class fields on both occasions; Needed the run in the Eclipse badly and will make bold bid to land this.

Barefoot Lady: Useful 2yo & not disgraced when third and second in Group/Listed contests at backend of last year; Feisty winner of Nell Gwyn on return and further improvement when fifth in 1,000 Guineas, second in Musidora and then third in Coronation Stakes; Older horses may have too much for her.

VERDICT: A race that is just slightly diminished by the withdrawal of Misty For Me thanks to unsuitable ground. Midday is expected to make a bold bid in her hat – trick attempt for this race but preference if for SNOW FAIRY, who should improve for her seasonal debut in the Eclipse and resume the progression that saw her win two Asian Group 1’s last season. Crystal Capella can too make a bold bid.