Nassau Stakes preview Sky Lantern looks to put the seal on what has been a superb week for trainer Richard Hannon by claiming her third Group One of the season in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes on Saturday. Hannon has enjoyed another excellent Glorious Goodwood, with Toronado's triumph over Dawn Approach in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday the clear highlight. Winner of the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and breathtaking in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes, Sky Lantern was widely considered an unlucky loser when carried across the track by Elusive Kate in a controversial climax to the Falmouth Stakes last month. Connections failed to get the result changed on appeal, but she gets the chance to get back on the winning trail over a mile and a quarter for the first time. "The Falmouth is now history, but Elusive Kate gave the form a boost when subsequently winning the Prix Rothschild in France, and provided the rain stays away we will be going there very hopeful," the East Everleigh handler told his website, www.richardhannonracing.co.uk. "Obviously, Sky Lantern is stepping into the unknown, but Hughesie (Richard Hughes) has been itching to try her at a mile and a quarter since she won the 1000 Guineas." Leading owners Qatar Racing have declared two major contenders in Just The Judge and Secret Gesture, but it appears unlikely both will face the starter. The Charlie Hills-trained Just The Judge is the preferred runner at Goodwood, but connections are keen to see some rain. Qatar racing manager David Redvers said: "She is by Lawman and most of his progeny have a preference for softer ground. "She has had three runs this season, all in Group One company and on fast ground, and we don't want to trash her. "At the same time, we are keen to run her on Saturday as there aren't many other suitable opportunities for her at Group One level coming up. "We'll make a decision as late as possible. We'd like to see a shower or two. If there is any jar in the ground then she won't run." The Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine finished behind Sky Lantern in the Guineas at Newmarket and in the Coronation Stakes, but Redvers is keen to have another crack at the Hannon filly over this longer trip. He said: "Jamie (Spencer, jockey) has been begging us to run her over further since the first time he sat on her and looking at her as a physical specimen, and looking at her pedigree, I'd be pretty confident she'll stay a mile and a quarter. "I can't say she will get any further than that, but a mile and a quarter should be fine. "While we have huge respect for Sky Lantern, there is certainly no fear about taking her on again, especially over this distance. "Our filly has also had a good break, whereas her run in the Coronation was her third run in the space of around five and a half weeks." Should Just The Judge be given the green light to line up at Goodwood, it is likely the Ralph Beckett-trained Secret Gesture, runner-up in the Epsom Oaks, will instead contest Sunday's German Oaks in Dusseldorf. Redvers said: "She doesn't appear as ground dependent as the other filly. "Ralph is pretty confident she'd gallop on the road if we asked her to. "Ground conditions in Germany are also quite quick. "The plan is to run her on Saturday if Just The Judge doesn't run, but if Just The Judge does run at Goodwood, Secret Gesture will probably go to Germany."
