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Nat Was Not At Her Best - Handicapper

Thu 08 May, 03:09 PM


Natagora did not have to reproduce her best form to win the 1000 Guineas on Sunday, that is the verdict of the British Horseracing Authority's deputy head of handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill.

Pascal Bary's filly achieved a higher rating in winning the Cheveley Park Stakes on her final start as a juvenile than when narrowly prevailing in the Newmarket Classic.

Gardiner-Hill said: "General consensus throughout Europe is that Natagora performed to 113 in winning the 1000 Guineas, 5lb below her current mark of 118 which was achieved when winning the Cheveley Park.

"(It is) difficult to get her any higher at present as Saoirse Abu and Infallible appear to have run to their respective marks of 111 and 110, while Spacious (second), Lush Lashes (sixth), Royal Confidence (seventh) and Muthabara (eighth) have all improved on previous performances.

"It is also likely that Nahoodh, who is adjudged to have actually run to her current rating of 110, would have stepped up on that with a clear run.

"A performance of 113 is on a par with the 1000 Guineas performances of Virginia Waters (2005), Kazzia (2002) and Ameerat (2001) in recent years.

"It will, of course, be interesting to see if Natagora can run to the higher level that her two-year-old form suggests she can as the season progresses."

Spacious and Infallible are both owned by Cheveley Park Stud and their racing manager Chris Richardson was delighted with their displays.

"One has to be thrilled to send out the second and fourth in a Classic and it was the aim to have two home-breds run to that level - it is what we are all about," said Richardson.

"The French filly was the one we were fearful of beforehand.

"Excuses can be made, James (Fanshawe) thought a stronger pace would have suited Spacious while Infallible was given a bump which set her alight and exposed her lack of experience.

"I think Spacious will stay at a mile, we haven't discounted going up to 10 furlongs but I'm not sure she'd want a mile and a half.

"The plan is not to run her again and go straight to Royal Ascot for the Coronation Stakes.

"With Infallible we are looking at the Prix Sandringham at Chantilly on June 1, a Group Two just to get some more experience.

"She is a filly who needs a run before whatever we decide to go for, whether that is the Coronation or stepping back in trip.

"John (Gosden, trainer) is confident she stays the mile though, so we'll see how we get on in a Group Two next."

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