Nashwa given the nod for QEII at Ascot

Connections have confirmed that Nashwa will run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

John and Thady Gosden's multiple Group One winner is to be aimed at the mile contest, rather than the Qipco Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs.

Owner Imad Alsagar’s Blue Diamond Stud posted on X: "Confirmed: Nashwa will run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes @Ascot on Saturday."

The five-year-old secured her latest elite-level success in the Falmouth Stakes over a mile at Newmarket in July.

She has since been placed in the Nassau Stakes, the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes, all over an extra two furlongs.

However, jockey Hollie Doyle has no fears about dropping back in distance.

She said this week: "I think she’s very versatile and very effective whatever the ground and whatever the trip.

"You need horses like her, she’s carried me now for the past two years and she always produces the goods."