Drop back in trip key to Illusion’s Nassau bid

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby believes classy Wild Illusion will be suited dropping back in distance to the mile and a quarter of Thursday’s G1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

In the frame in the G1 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, she then jumped to the mile-a-half trip for the G1 Invested Oaks at Epsom and the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing runner-up in both.

“I think that coming back two furlongs in trip is going to be ideal for her,” Appleby said.

“She’s already a G1 winner (Prix Marcel Boussac), and if she can maintain the high level of form displayed in her career to date, she will be right there at the finish of the Nassau,” he added.

“She has progressed well from her races in June and has pleased me in her work,” the trainer added.

The Richard Hannon-trained Billesdon Brook scored a surprise win in the 1,000 Guineas but she has great talent and is not to be underestimated, while Urban Fox, trained by William Haggas, was visually impressive in taking the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh and is on the upward curve.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Veracious is also a significant contender in another high-quality running of this important fillies and mares clash.