Nashwa: French Oaks hero set for Saint-Cloud return ahead of Royal Ascot and Arc targets | racing news

Owner-breeder Imad Alsagar is targeting the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and a possible Arc bid with Nashwa before his comeback at Saint-Cloud this weekend.

The filly Frankel, trained by John and Thady Gosden, enjoyed an excellent three-year-old campaign, claiming classic glory in the French Oaks with Hollie Doyle before doubling her Group One tally in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

She subsequently finished second in the Prix de l’Opera and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup, and with an initial plan to bring her back in the Middleton Stakes at York last week, Nashwa returns in the Group Two Prix Run on Sunday. .

“Nashwa is in great shape,” Al Sagar told Sky Sports Racing. “We were targeting Middleton at York as a prep race for the main target, which is Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot, but she’s a great filly and takes a long time to come up with, which she has now. Her job is excellent and we head to Saint-Cloud on Sunday, hopefully.”

The noted owner said he had no doubts about bringing Nashwa back to training as a four-year-old and is hopeful there are even more improvements to come.

He added: “It was a very simple decision, as I know the family.

“Her dam (Princess Loulou) was in her prime at four, so they thrive with age, and Nashwa is definitely no exception – she’s a bigger, stronger filly this year.”

Although her star filly apparently failed to complete the mile and a half when she was third in the Oaks at Epsom, Al Sagar is hoping her stronger physique will give her the chance to do so this season, giving her hope of a possible tilt in the Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe in Paris in October.

Considering future plans, he said: “She was entered in the Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes. It’s premature at the moment and we’ll have a better idea after the Prince of Wales if all goes well.”

“Coming back to the Oaks last year we entered uncharted territory and she didn’t make the mile and a half, but this year, being stronger, we think she could hit that target and she went into the Arc.

“Nashwa is a very special filly with great cruising speed and her temperament is phenomenal.”