Twelve months on from her success in the Nassau Stakes, Japanese mare Deirdre returns to Goodwood to defend her crown in the Group 1.
Oisin Murphy will continue his partnership with the daughter of Harbinger, who has not won since her heroics on the Sussex Downs last year. She was last seen finishing fifth behind Ghaiyyath in the Coral-Eclipse.
It will be a hard task for Deirdre, who will be facing the John Gosden-trained Nazeef, winner of the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes on her most recent start, and Fancy Blue, successful in the Prix de Diane for first-season trainer Donnacha O’Brien.
O’Brien, speaking to QIPCO British Champion Series, said: “Fancy Blue is very genuine, tries hard and takes her work well. She’s a very uncomplicated and talented filly who relaxes and is able to quicken.
“She gets a mile and a quarter very well and is closely related to High Chaparral, so there’s plenty of stamina in her pedigree and she will probably get a mile and a half in time. I think she can probably be competitive in Group 1s anywhere from a mile to a mile and a half.
“There are a great bunch of fillies around at the moment. Among the three-year-olds you have Love, who looks special, and then of course you’ve got Enable and Magical, and a few of those turning up at Goodwood this week, including our filly.”
The field is completed by Lavender’s Blue, Queen Power, Magic Wand and One Voice.
Goodwood’s card today also features the Group 2 Richmond Stakes (6f) and the Group 3 Gordon Stakes (1m4f).
Rest of today’s action
Musselburgh race on the Flat today while there are jumps fixtures from Galway and Southwell.
