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Mark Johnston takes aim at Ascot prize with Nyaleti

3 minute read

Connections of Nyaleti expect the filly to take "a lot of beating" in the Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

A winner on her racecourse debut at Salisbury, Mark Johnston's filly was turned out just six days later for the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and ran an excellent race to fill the runner-up spot behind Aidan O'Brien's 1000 Guineas favourite September.

She found another Ballydoyle inmate in Clemmie too strong in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month but is set to be a warm order for the Group Three in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to his father, said: "Nyaleti is in good form and from my point of view she's one of, if not the best two-year-old filly in Britain on form.

"She's just been unlucky to bump into the two best in Ireland on her last couple of runs.

"There's no disgrace in finishing second to those two. She maybe didn't quite run up to her Ascot form at Newmarket, but she still ran a good race and she seems versatile over five and six furlongs.

"The only possible variable would be the ground if they got a lot of rain. I don't know how she'd handle it.

"But we're very happy with her at home and the others have quite a bit to find, in my opinion. She should take a lot of beating."

Johnston also saddles outsider Rebel Assault.

Nyaleti faces five other rivals, with Richard Fahey's Dance Diva, the Paul Cole-trained Musical Art and Spring Cosmos from Charlie Appleby's yard bringing unbeaten records to the table.

Dance Diva claimed her third win in the Listed Empress Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket at the start of the month and has form on rain-softened ground.

Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: " We bypassed the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket on the basis of going for this race.

"It gave us a bit more time after the three quick runs that she had. She's still learning and I hope she's still progressive."

Spring Cosmos made a successful debut at Newmarket a little over a fortnight ago.

Appleby said: " She's come out of the race well and I am delighted with how she is coming into Saturday.

"Ideally, we probably don't want too much rain. We will keep an eye on the ground, but she has not got many options around and we have our hands forced a bit.

"I've made an entry for the Molecomb at Goodwood next week, just in case conditions do get too testing for us."

James Given's Mistress Of Venice and the Mick Channon-trained Neola make up the field.