Interview with Greatrex & Hobbs

The highlight on the third day of Glorious Goodwood was the Group 1 Nassau Stakes and the ten furlongs event went the way of the Japanese trained Deirdre. The five year old had got bogged down in the testing ground in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but was much more at home under these conditions under Oisin Murphy. A length and a quarter winner, one can't help feeling the result may have been different had the third Rawdaa received a more positive ride. Featured in the Top 40 Prospects in Ahead On The Flat, Sir Michael Stoute's filly has been running well all season without getting her head in front. Runner-up in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes and Duke of Cambridge Stakes at York and Royal Ascot respectively, she wa given plenty to do here before staying on strongly. Beaten two and a half lengths in third, she would have been considerably closer had the daughter of Teofilo started her run sooner. She deserves to win a big prize before the end of the season.

I had another productive day regarding One Jump Ahead, interviewing Warren Greatrex and Philip Hobbs on Thursday. The former is responsible for last season's dual Grade 1 winning novice chaser La Bague Au Roi and the head of Uplands is plotting an exciting campaign for his stable star. Warren is also blessed with plenty of young talent, including new recruits from high-profile owners Robert Waley-Cohen, Trevor Hemmings and Dai Walters amongst others. The ever reliable Philip Hobbs has a strong team headed by dual Festival winner Defi Du Seuil and the Minehead trainer has also been sent some potentially exciting prospects from France, Ireland and the Flat. I am hoping to conduct more interviews on Friday.