By Sean Cronin
Godolphin's Nahanni (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who bettered a Jan. 8 first-up second over 12 furlongs at Kempton with a breakthrough tally over that same course and distance the following month, prevailed by nine lengths going 12 furlongs in an Apr. 1 Leicester novices' heat on turf debut last time and continued his march forward with a battling victory in Tuesday's Listed Cazoo Blue Riband Trial at Epsom. Sent to the front after extended early skirmishes and nudged along on the lead with three furlongs remaining, he came under a drive when tackled passing the quarter-mile marker and stayed on gamely for continued urging in the closing stages to secure a career high in a bunch finish. Nahanni's victory comes with a golden ticket to the track's June 4 G1 Cazoo Derby.
“It was a nice performance and he has come on again,” said rider William Buick. “He was back down in trip from Leicester, but the drop back wasn't a concern and he handled the track well. He got on the front and was very comfortable up there. I liked his performance as he saw them all off and handled the track, which is key. It was the most competitive race he has ever encountered and he had to fight for it, so he has learnt plenty.”
In-form trainer Charlie Appleby added, “We were very much having a feel of where we were with this horse and I'm pleased with that effort today. We know he gets the trip as he has won his last two starts over a mile-and-a-half prior to today and he has ticked those boxes. He has now ticked the box of handling the track so the likelihood is we will now probably head straight to the Derby with him.”
Nahanni is one of two scorers from as many foals produced by a winning half to MG1SW sire Mastery (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}), G1 Gran Criterium victor Kirklees (Ire) (Jade Robbery) and the dual Group 3-placed First Nation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Descendants of the February-foaled chestnut's second dam Moyesii (Diesis {GB}), herself a winning daughter of G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup heroine Cherokee Rose (Ire) (Dancing Brave), include G1 Eclipse S.-winning sire Mukhadram (GB) (Shamardal) and MGSW G1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica runner-up Magic Artist (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Tuesday, Epsom, Britain
CAZOO BLUE RIBAND TRIAL-Listed, £60,000, Epsom, 4-19, 3yo, 10f 17yT, 2:10.48, g/f.
1–NAHANNI (GB), 127, c, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Final Stage (GB), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Moyesii, by Diesis (GB)
3rd Dam: Cherokee Rose (Ire), by Dancing Brave
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $58,898.
2–Grand Alliance (Ire), 127, c, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Endless Love (Ire), by Dubai Destination. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Mrs Susan Roy (IRE); T-Charlie Fellowes. £12,900.
3–Zain Sarinda (Ire), 127, c, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Sarinda (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (62,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Elbashir Salem Ab Elhari & Team Valor; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Tom Clover. £6,456.
Margins: HF, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.25, 11.00, 7.00.
Also Ran: United Nations (Ire), Mighty Ulysses (GB), Inverness (Ire), Teumessias Fox (Ire), Sheer Rocks (GB).
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