Hollie Doyle and Nashwa race from last to first for Group One Goodwood glory

A change of tactics and a muddling pace made no difference to Nashwa and Hollie Doyle here on Thursday, as the French Oaks winner added a second Group One win to her record in the Nassau Stakes.

Having won from the front at Chantilly, Doyle was second-last turning into the downhill run for home but with typical composure, she brought the 6-5 favourite with a strong run down the middle of the track and won with enough in hand to start the celebrations a couple of strides from the line.

This was the fourth Group One success of Doyle’s career but it will be a considerable surprise if Nashwa does not add to her tally over the next season-and-a-half. John Gosden, her trainer, was thinking ahead to the Prix de l’Opera and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf after her latest success, while Imad Alsager, Nashwa’s owner, confirmed that she will stay in training at four.

“It’s amazing to be associated with her and it’s thanks to Imad [who retains Doyle as No 1 rider] that I am,” Doyle said. “Her performance in France was excellent and she had a really hard race, which probably took a bit out of her. Mr Gosden said he wanted me to ride her quiet and get her to switch off, as she’d been a bit keen in her work since France.

“We had options to take on the colts but I can’t see the point at this stage, she’s one of the best fillies around and she’s flourishing with age. Every time I sit on her I say that she’s grown again and improved again, but I think she’ll be a different filly next year as well.”

Dilum, Magic Ring and a subsequent Derby winner, Generous, were among the top-class juveniles to pass through Paul Cole’s hands in the early 1990s and the veteran trainer did not hesitate to place Royal Scotsman alongside or even above them