Mandesa, Finsceal Beo on track for the Nassau

MANDESHA (Desert Style) has been confirmed on

course for a clash of the generations in the Nassau S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood on

August 4.

Last year's Prix d'Astarte (Fr-G1), Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1) and Prix de l'Opera

(Fr-G1) heroine is featured amongst Tuesday's strong entry of 26 distaffers for the

10-furlong contest.

"This is very much her objective, unless something goes wrong," Racing Manager Georges Rimaud told PA Sport. "Everything is

going well; she looks very well and she is behaving better than she has for her

last two races. She tends to take some time to come to herself really, and I

think she just thrives later in the season. As she strengthens she gains

confidence, so she should be okay. This will be a real test for her and we will

be able to see more clearly after it what we shall do next. But that is another

good reason to travel over rather than keep her in France. She is okay on most

ground, but we obviously wouldn't want very soft ground, she is better on good

ground. She has won Group 1s over a mile, 10 and 12 furlongs, but I think she is

at her best over 10 furlongs and more."

As expected, the list for the contest includes Epsom

Oaks (Eng-G1) winner LIGHT SHIFT (Kingmambo) and Pretty Polly S. (Ire-G1) and Irish Oaks (Ire-G1) victress PEEPING FAWN

(Danehill), but there is also the prospect of English (Eng-G1)

and Irish (Ire-G1) One Thousand Guineas heroine FINSCEAL BEO (Mr. Greeley)

making an appearance. Last year's Irish

One Thousand Guineas winner, SPECIOSA (Danehill Dancer), is another possibility.

She exits a runner-up to Peeping Fawn in the Pretty Polly on June 30 and, despite holding the alternative option of Deauville's Prix d'Astarte (Fr-G1)

on July 29, looks to be Goodwood-bound.

"We are meeting today to decide whether she goes for the Nassau Stakes or the

Prix d'Astarte, but the Nassau is more of a prestigious race, and I think the

mile and a quarter would suit her rather than the mile at Deauville," owner

Pam Sly

commented. "She ran very well over 10 furlongs last time so, at the moment, the

preferred target is the Nassau Stakes."

Other notables include Falmouth S. (Eng-G1) winner SIMPLY PERFECT (Danehill) and

multiple Group 1 queen NANNINA (Medicean).