Coral Racing Ambassador, Jim Crowley, previews his ride on Nakheel in the Group 2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes at York on the second day of the Dante Meeting.

15:13 York – Nakheel

I was fortunate enough to get on Nakheel for her final two rides of last season, and we ended the season winning the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting. That was over the extended 1m 6f St Leger trip, and she’s dropping back 4 furlongs here, but she has won over this trip before so she can be competitive over the shorter distance.

I’ve ridden her at home this spring, and she’s given me the feel of a very nice filly, one who has improved again from three to four, and while she stayed the Park Hill trip really nicely, I don’t think she needs a longer trip to be at her best, and she’s definitely a filly I can see winning big races over a mile and a half.

This looks an ideal starting point for the new campaign, rather than take on colts and older horses we’re sticking to her own sex, and hopefully that way she won’t have too hard a race.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see her win, but as I say it is a starting point, and the shorter trip is a slight concern.

Jim Crowley, Coral Racing Ambassador