Hermosa to get better of rivals

HERMOSA should regain the winning thread in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood,

writes The Ferret.

Aidan O’Brien always planned to step the dual Guineas winner up to 10 furlongs but was tempted to have another crack at a mile at Royal Ascot, given how dominant she had been in the Irish version.

While she beat all the British and Irish fillies once more, she had no answer to the French challenger Watch Me.

Yet again her biggest rival today could be a cross-channel raider, ironically one called Channel, who arrives on the back of a three-race winning streak.

Last time out she won the Prix de Diane, the race O’Brien had been eyeing for Hermosa, but they did finish in a heap at Chantilly, suggesting they were all much of a muchness.

Two who disappointed in the Oaks, Maqsad and Mehdaayih, give the Nassau further strength in depth but Hermosa can see them all off.

Richard Hannon’s THREAT looks the one to beat in the Qatar Richmond Stakes.

Hannon has made no secret of the regard in which he holds the Cheveley Park Stud-owned juvenile and he had no trouble in making a winning debut at Newmarket, beating youngsters from the top yards.

All roads then led to Royal Ascot and the Coventry Stakes, where he came up against the leading juveniles of the season and found just one too good in Aidan O’Brien’s Arizona.

While the Coventry might not have been as hot as in previous seasons, Threat still has the best form on offer and it will be disappointing if he is beaten.

SELECTIONS

GOODWOOD: 1.50 Sinjaari, 2.25 THREAT (NAP), 3.00 Leo De Fury, 3.35 Hermosa, 4.10 Fred, 4.45 Craylands, 5.20 Pass The Gin.

NOTTINGHAM: 1.40 Poets Dance, 2.15 Spiritofthenorth, 2.50 Burning Topic, 3.25 Bruyere, 4.00 Junderstand, 4.35 Daphinia, 5.10 Victoriano.

STRATFORD: 1.30 Emerald Rocket, 2.05 Write It Down, 2.40 Capitoul, 3.15 Canny Tom, 3.50 Green Or Black, 4.25 Code Of Law, 5.00 North Star Oscar.

DOUBLE: Threat and Hermosa.