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Nashwa strengthened her claims for the Epsom Oaks on Saturday with a highly impressive win in the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury.

Already a strong fancy for the Classic following an authoritative win at Haydock Park, Nashwa showed a different dimension on Saturday, settling sweetly at the back of the field for Hollie Doyle before swooping down the outer. Never off the bridle, she won with incredible ease over Stay Alert.

“She’s entered in the Oaks and the French Oaks and if we go a mile and a half we’re going into the unknown, but we’re not making any decisions today,” said Imad Al Sagar.

Nashwa: Imad Al Sagar was on hand to greet his Listed winner at Newbury on Saturday. Photo – Racingfotos

Racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe added: “She did everything we hoped she would. She settled well, quickened well and galloped to the line. She has taken it in her stride in every way. She has got options of the Oaks and the Prix de Diane, which is a very nice conundrum, if it is.

“Obviously, Imad will talk to John and see what they want to do.

“It is only her third race and she is learning all the time. I think the great thing is the way she took herself into the race and settled when she asked her and she lengthened.

“She is a lovely-striding filly from that point of view, she looks smart. Hollie gets on with her well.”

Co-trainer Thady Gosden added: “She posted very smart sectionals at Haydock and she is a filly we have always liked a lot. She shows a great attitude. Obviously we were drawn wide today which was not ideal, but Hollie dropped her in and settled her very well at the back and she was very well switched off there. She picked up well in the straight and found a good turn of foot.

“Obviously, she will have learned from the experience today. They are two different types of horses. Emily Upjohn is a big, rangy girl, where Nashwa is a little more compact.

“There is Epsom or France for the Prix de Diane and she has plenty of toe, so that will be a possibility.”

Nashwa was bred at the stud out of Princess Loulou, a daughter of Pivotal who won the Listed Gillies Stakes at Doncaster in our colours. Highly talented on her day, she also ran second in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville.

Nashwa is the third foal out of Princess Loulou and follows the classy Louganini as a winner in Imad Al Sagar’s colours.

Princess Loulou, who hails from the famous Wigan/Pelting family of Braashee, Hadeer and Awzaan, also has a yearling filly by our multiple Group 1 winner Decorated Knight and a colt foal by Dubawi. She returned to Frankel this year.