York's Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash quotes: Naana’s Shadow seeking double

Naana’s Shadow bids to supplement her Oaks day success for trainer Katie Scott in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash at York on Saturday.

The Havana Grey filly was bought for 20,000 guineas after former trainer Alice Haynes decided to give up her licence in November and has proved a shrewd purchase, with a low-key Catterick success followed by a third place finish at York’s Dante meeting and then her victory in the 3YO “Dash” Handicap at Epsom.

Scott, who trains from Stables Cottage in the Scottish Borders, said: “She’s come out of Epsom really well. Everything’s been very smooth.

“It was a huge day for us. We are a small yard; we’ve only got 20 horses in training. So just even to be going to these big meetings is amazing, then to be coming away with a win is fantastic. It means so much to us.

“She’s still a bit to go to be the best we’ve trained because we’ve got Luna (A Inbhir Nis) in the yard – but I’d say she’ll be the fastest.”

Naana’s Shadow renews rivalry with the two horses that finished in front of her over this course and distance in May, namely Brian Ellison’s 40-1 winner Fortification and Karl Burke’s runner-up Stargazed, but Scott is hopeful her charge can turn that form around under Oisin Murphy.

She added: “I think we have improved and she was new to the yard at that point, so we’ve got to know her better. We’ll give it our best shot anyway.”

Fortification has twice returned to York since that victory on his stable debut, finishing a close-up fourth just eight days later and then third in the lucrative Macmillan Sprint Handicap a fortnight ago.

“He’s gone up in the handicap a bit, but he’s fine and in good form at home,” said Ellison.

“There’s not a lot between a lot of them and I actually thought he was a bit unlucky last time as we were drawn wide and it was all happening on the other side, but he finished well and got the six furlongs well, which is good.

“He’s a lovely horse and a pleasure to deal with.”

Richard Hughes is hoping for a big performance from Our Cody on her return to handicap company following an “eyecatching” late run to finish fourth in the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown last time out.

“She ran a super race the last day and she’s improved from two to three. We were quite shocked that she grew a bit and she’s improved,” said the Lambourn handler.

“Finley (Marsh) got off and said they weren’t going fast enough at Sandown so they should go quick enough at York. The race should set up lovely for her.

“She wasn’t quite ready the first race (of the season), but the last day was very eyecatching I thought beside very good horses.”