Glorious Goodwood 2017 – Aidan O’Brien’s Winter favourite to win Thursday’s Qatar Nassau Stakes
Winter has been simply brilliant this year winning the English and Irish Guineas before her classy Coronation Stakes win at Royal Ascot when last seen back in June
AIDAN O'BRIEN is on the lookout for a Winter warmer in Thursday's Qatar Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
O'Brien's dual Classic winner comes into the race off the back of a classy success in the Coronation Stakes, but she will take a step up in trip for Thursday's feature race.
Winter has big boots to fill after super filly Minding won the race for O'Brien 12 months ago.
The Ballydoyle handler said: "It's her first time over a mile and a quarter but she is in good form.
"We always thought she was a very high-class filly. From the first time she ran she has progressed with every run. We were delighted with all three of her Group 1 wins and have been impressed all three times.
"You can never be sure that she will get the mile and a quarter, but she is by Galileo, which is obviously a big help."
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O'Brien also saddles Hydrangea, who beat Winter at Leopardstown in the spring but has proved no match for her esteemed stablemate on her last three starts.
John Gosden could fire two challengers at Winter, although Shutter Speed's participation is in doubt with the heavy rain forecast to his the Sussex Downs.
Gosden is also set to run So Mi Dar who makes her belated seasonal reappearance.
Sir Michael Stoute will be hoping Queen's Trust can go one better this year after chasing home Minding in the contest last year.
Chris Richardson, racing manager to owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "She was slowly away from the stalls at Ascot, which is one of her traits, and she did the same last year.
"She got hemmed in when she tried to get a run and was flying at the finish. We definitely felt she could have been a bit closer.
"This is the right race for her and she ran well when she finished second in it last year."
Roger Varian is represented by recent Pretty Polly Stakes winner Nezwaah, while Charlie Appleby runs Sobetsu and Wuheida, both top-level scorers in France.
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