Inspiral on course for potential swansong in Sun Chariot clash of the generations

Inspiral remains on course for a heavyweight clash with stablemate Nashwa in what could be her final start after both featured among 11 confirmations for the Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes on Saturday.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old, who triumphed in this Group 1 12 months ago, was last seen finishing third behind Charyn and Metropolitan in the Prix Jacques le Marois in August.

The daughter of Frankel was fourth when sent off the 2-1 favourite to make a successful seasonal debut in the Lockinge Stakes off the back of her Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf victory last November, and failed to stay the trip in the Prince of Wales's Stakes when finishing sixth. 

Ryan Moore rode Inspiral at Deauville, replacing Kieran Shoemark who had ridden her on her previous two starts, but his services could be required at Longchamp on Saturday with star stayer Kyprios pencilled in for the Group 1 Prix du Cadran.

Speaking last week, John Gosden touched on the possibility of Newmarket being Inspiral's final run, saying:  We’re happy enough with her and we'll see where we go from the Sun Chariot, or whether we say she’s had a great racing career and it’s time for her to go to the paddocks.“

Nashwa, who will be ridden as usual by Hollie Doyle, could make her first appearance since finishing ninth in Meydan's Dubai Turf in March.

Nashwa is set to return in the Group 1 Sun ChariotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Inspiral is being rivalled in the ante-post market by Tamfana, who has run creditably in a series of Group 1s this summer and was last seen winning the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown.

The Gosdens also have Group 2-winning three-year-old Friendly Soul and Royal Ascot heroine Running Lion in contention.

Inspiral boasts an unbeaten record on the Rowley Mile, having landed the 2021 Fillies' Mile over course and distance as a juvenile and 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka is another who could bid to extend her perfect record at the track for Roger Varian.

See The Fire beat that rival in the Nassau Stakes and went one better than that Glorious Goodwood second in the Strensall Stakes at York last time.

Karl Burke won the Sun Chariot with Laurens in 2018 and he could run German 1,000 Guineas winner Darnation while Aidan O'Brien, who last won the race in 2018 with Roly Poly, could be represented by Ylang Ylang or Wingspan.

Opera Singer was not among the confirmations for O'Brien, whose son Joseph could run Rogue Millennium.

Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes confirmations

Inspiral John and Thady Gosden
Nashwa John and Thady Gosden
Rogue Millennium Joseph O'Brien
Running Lion John and Thady Gosden
Darnation Karl Burke
Elmalka Roger Varian
Friendly Soul John and Thady Gosden
See The Fire Andrew Balding
Tamfana David Menuisier
Wingspan Aidan O'Brien
Ylang Ylang Aidan O'Brien

Coral: 11-4 Inspiral, Tamfana, 5 See The Fire, 6 Nashwa, 7 Ylang Ylang, 9 Friendly Soul, 10 Elmalka, 20 Rogue Millennium, 25 Running Lion, Wingspan, 50 Darnation

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