The Gr1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday sets punters a poser. Do they trust the old guard to revive, or do they look to the new fillies on the block?
Multiple Group One winners Inspiral and Nashwa, both daughters of Frankel, stand out on their overall form but the pair, who have chalked up 24 Group One runs between them, have had truncated campaigns and arrive with something to prove.
Hollie Doyle (Pic – Supplied)
Hollie Doyle can’t wait to get back on board her long-absent favourite Nashwa in Saturday’s Gr1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes, but a big part of her heart will be at Longchamp, where her other great love Trueshan runs in the Prix Du Cadran.
Jockeys wishing they could be in two places at once is nothing new, but it can seldom have been as painful as it is to Doyle on this busy weekend, for she has enjoyed three Group 1 wins on Nashwa, including a breakthrough first Classic success in the 2022 Prix de Diane, and another three on Trueshan, not to mention a hat-trick of wins in Ascot’s QIPCO British Long Distance Cup.
Doyle has ridden Nashwa in every one of her 16 races, the most recent of which was at Meydan way back in March, and the last time she missed riding Trueshan was when he won his first Cadran three years ago, so it’s no wonder she is somewhat conflicted.
She said: “It’s been a blow having Nashwa out of action for most of the season and her return has been a long time coming, but these things happen and it’s just great that the team have got her back on track for the Sun Chariot.
“I’ve only sat on her once since Dubai, and that was last week, when she felt great. She’s a filly who in the past has taken a few runs to come to herself, but I was pleased with her and whatever happens here we hopefully have QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot to look forward to in two weeks time.”
She added: “It’s just such a shame my two superstars are running at different tracks on the same day, but I can’t be in two places at once. When I missed Trueshan in the Cadran three years ago it was through suspension and James (Doyle) won on him. That was a heartbreaking day, but I can’t complain too much this time.
“I’ll be watching him from Newmarket of course and wishing him well. He’s been such a star for Alan (King) and all of us who have been lucky enough to be connected with him.”
