The Nassau Stakes is always one of the summer highlights of the flat season with the fillies and mares getting their chance to shine at Group 1 level at the Goodwood Festival.
The 1m2f contest tends to attract the best fillies in training to the Sussex track and the recent roll of honour of the race is a hugely impressive list. Midday famously won the Nassau three times on the spin for the late great Sir Henry Cecil between 2009 and 2011 and she remains the most successful horse in its history.
Other recent winners include The Fugue, Minding and Winter who have all impressed at the glorious meeting in past years, and we have six horses declared the 2018 edition.
A small but select group of fillies with some of the best of the classic generation stepping up to take on their elders in one of the mid-season highlights of the flat summer...
Rhododendron - Aidan O'Brien has trained the Nassau winner four times since 2007, including in each of the last two years and Rhododendron has leading claims today. Flopped last time which is a worry but a Group 1 winner and eight and ten furlongs so clearly going to be in the mix if back to her best.
Urban Fox - Stepped up to 1m2f last time out and promptly picked up the Pretty Polly Stakes at Group 1 level. Oaks winner behind her that day which looks solid form and William Haggas is flying at the moment. Should be in the mix.
Wilamina - The outsider of the field and in truth, this looks like a step too far for this daughter of Zoffany. Ran OK in a Group 2 last time out but will do well to beat any of these. No thanks.
Billesdon Brook - Shock winner of the 1000 Guineas at a huge 66/1 so clearly has to be respected. Well beaten but not disgraced in the Coronation Stakes last time out and connections hoping a step up in trip will see further improvement. Needs more.
Veracious - An excellent 3rd in the coronation Stakes on her first start of the season and there should be more to come from this daughter of Frankel. Had Billesdon Brook behind her last time out and looks the unexposed filly in the field.
Wild Illusion - A series of impressive performances without winning so far and looks a consistent animal. 4th in the 1000 Guineas, 2nd in the Oaks at Epsom and 2nd again last time out at Ascot in the Ribblesdale Stakes. Sure to run well but may find one too good as has proven the case so far.
Five genuinely top classy fillies clashing in the Nassau this afternoon and it is a tough one for punters as a result. Urban Fox loved the step up in trip to win at the Curragh last time out and with William Haggas on top form at the moment, she is the narrow fancy to claim another Group 1 success.
