Hollie Doyle's mount Nashwa is proving popular as punters back the duo to take a starring role at Goodwood.
The French Oaks heroine is into 8-11 with William Hill for the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes a week on Thursday. It comes 39 days after the successful trip to Chantilly, where Doyle added a first Classic triumph to her ever-growing CV.
Nashwa is only behind world number one Baaeed in the list of shortest-priced hopes for the meeting, who is no bigger than 4-9 for Wednesday's Sussex Stakes. The filly's stablemate Stradivarius, with Andrea Atzeni back in saddle, has also attracted plenty of support ahead of his bid for a fifth Goodwood Cup on the opening afternoon.
William Hill spokesperson Tony Kenny said: “The good weather looks set to continue into next week and that will be music to the ears of Stradivarius’ connections ahead of the Goodwood Cup. It won’t be to Trueshan’s however and both factors have seen John and Thady Gosden’s colt well-supported at 6-4.
“In Thursday’s Nassau, Nashwa has been very well-backed and with it hard to see much in the way of meaningful opposition turning up against her, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if she went off shorter than the current 8-11.”
Thady Gosden, who trains with his father John, said a short break has freshened Nashwa up for her top level assignment.
"She travelled all the way over to Chantilly and ran a huge race there, but she is coming back to herself now and seems in good shape for next week," he added.
“She took a bit of time to mature last year and has just improved with every run this year. Hollie has given her a few brilliant rides, especially in France. Getting to the front there, it’s not an easy track to ride and you can always end up finding plenty of trouble. She’s versatile enough in that regard and hopefully that will suit her at Goodwood."
Doyle appears unlikely to reunite with last year's Goodwood Cup winner Trueshan, given the dry weather forecast. The betting market for the race has been dominated by Gold Cup title-holder Kyprios and the third Stradivarius, who has three renewals to his name.
With Atzeni favoured over Frankie Dettori by owner Bjorn Nielsen, the Gosdens' star stayer will look to maintain his unbeaten record at the West Sussex venue.
"We’re happy at two miles or two and a half miles," John Gosden said. "Stradivarius would run a big race over a mile and a half. So, to that extent I have been pleased with him all along and we’re looking forward to it. He is quick on his feet and agile.
"That always helps around Goodwood. It is a downward turning track and he probably enjoys the twists and turns of it. He probably finds it quite entertaining, like a fairground ride.”
