Davison eager for Nunthorpe challenge with She’s Quality

Jack Davison has the Nunthorpe in his sights for She’s Quality after another sprint near-miss in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

The filly arrived on the South Downs having been second in three consecutive starts this season, all of which were Group events on British soil over five furlongs.

She was a 9-1 shot under James Ryan and just fell short once again, missing out by only a neck as Jm Jungle prevailed.

“She’s a super filly, that’s four seconds at the highest level,” said Davison.

“Hopefully it’ll all come good in the Nunthorpe, 37 millimetres of rain probably didn’t help her but I’m very proud of her.

“I think she’s by far the best the sprinter in Ireland, it’s a pleasure to have her. It’s a pleasure to bring her over here to compete against the best the UK has to offer.

“She’s only four, she’s improving. I like my horses to be ridden with cover and to come from slightly off the pace, she’s learning all that now.

“It’s a step in the right direction, she was right up there with the best horses in the world and we’re looking forward to the Nunthorpe.”

Behind She’s Quality in third was Harry Eustace’s Time For Sandals, winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when last seen before stepping down to five furlongs at Goodwood.

“Today was to see how competitive she could be under those conditions, under a penalty and back to five furlongs,” said Eustace.

“It’s a sharp track and she certainly looked at home. Over five you need everything to go right and she just couldn’t quite get herself into the gap that she needed to.

“She had another go at them, which is pretty unusual, so I’m very happy.

“My gut feeling watching that was Haydock (for the Sprint Cup), she’s looked more at home over six and really travelled.

“We’ll let the dust settle, I don’t think she’ll go to York. She’s a three-year-old filly and I’m just very keen to mind her.

“It’s all about having a healthy horse next year and if we upset that by being greedy this year that would really annoy me, we’ll try not to do that.”

Henry Dwyer’s Australian sprint star Asfoora was out of the money in seventh, with her trainer saying: “Similar to Ascot (fifth in the King Charles III Stakes), she’s run good without being great.

“I just feel there have been things against her both times and we haven’t had the rub of the green. We’re gearing up towards a good run at York, but just not having the right luck at the moment.

“She probably peaked there around 100 metres out, which we thought she would fitness wise. I’m happy enough, but she just needs to keep taking those steps which I’m confident she will.

“It will be on to York now, assuming she pulls up well.”