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DAVID Elsworth can plan for an Exciting end to
Glorious Goodwood tomorrow.
The veteran trainer is enjoying a highly profitable
season and can taste Group One glory with Something
Exciting in the Nassau Stakes.
And in doing so, the three-year-old filly can strike a
much-needed blow for Classic form which has taken some
serious knocks in recent weeks.
Something Exciting caine home a superb second in the
Oaks but her conqueror at Epsom, Eswara]i, was beaten
along way by Azamour in last Saturday’s King George at
Newbury.
And the third home that day, Pictavia, has since been
hammered out of sight in the Irish equivalent.
Something Exciting herself trailed in a disappointing
fourth in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot at York, but
the suspicion remains that came too soon after her
exertions at Epsom.
But there is no doubt she is a top-class filly, proved
by her smooth success over course and distance in the
Lupe Stakes earlier in the season.
She also won at Goodwood on her debut last season. The
race has attracted a higher entry than usual, including
1000 Guineas winner Virginia Waters and other fillies
with Classic form including Karen’s Caper and Penkenna
Princess.
But Elsworth’s inmate may have most to fear from
Alexander Goldrun, Jim Bolger’s globetrotting mare who
won the Hong Kong Cup last winter and the Group One
Pretty Polly Stakes last month.
There may also be a big run at a big price from Magical
Romance, who ran well in the Oaks only to tire in the
closing two furlongs. The shorter trip here should suit
perfectly. But providing she is back to her best, the
lOlb pull Something Exciting enjoys could prove
decisive. Mecca’s Mate can cap a fine season by taking
the £100,000 Stewards’ Cup.
David Barker has his string in fine form and the
four-year-old has been one of his star performers.
She has shot up the handicap thanks to two wins at Ayr
and one at York and ran well yesterday when fifth to
Fire Up The Band over this course.
That effort should not have taken too much out of her as
she looks to thrive on racing and she still appears on
an attractive mark. She can land her biggest prize to
date at the expense of market leaders Gift Horse and
Lafi, who are both trained by sprint king David
Nicholls.
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