Can Izzi come out on top in Saturday’s Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes?

Izzi Top and William Buick return in triumph after their Pretty Polly Stakes victory at The Curragh. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Saturday’s Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes is invariably won by a top class filly or mare and this year looks like being no exception.

Saturday’s mile and a quarter contest, race five in the QIPCO British Champions Series Fillies & Mares division, has attracted a really strong line-up with the first and third in the Investec Oaks taking on several top class older fillies and mares.

Over a mile and a half at Epsom, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Was came out on top with The Fugue, trained by John Gosden, in third after nearly being brought down early in the race.

Under the circumstances The Fugue did very well to claim a place and many will feel that she is entitled to finish in front of Was on Saturday.

However, Gosden’s stable jockey, William Buick, has opted to ride Izzi Top and one can hardly be surprised.

She has done nothing but improve all year and is unbeaten in her last four races, including all three this season.

Last time out she won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland and she certainly looks like the one that they all have to beat on Saturday.

Nahrain, who won the Prix de l’Opera last season and was second at the Breeders’ Cup, would be a big threat if back to her best after a slightly disappointing comeback at Royal Ascot, while the way that Sir Henry Cecil’s horses have been running at Goodwood (four winners in the first three days), you couldn’t rule out last year’s Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes winner, Timepiece.

She was well below her best in her two runs earlier this season, however, so she needs to bounce back.

It promises to be a fascinating race, so make sure you tune in on Channel 4 or Racing UK at 3.15pm on Saturday to catch it live.

For the full race details and field, CLICK HERE.