Improving Filly Completes Double For The Gurkha

The progressive Nell Quickly (3f The Gurkha - Burke’s Rock, by Cape Cross) completed a double for The Gurkha at Chelmsford on Thursday when justifying favouritism in the fillies’ maiden over ten furlongs.

Fourth on her sole two-year-old start, the Denis Coakley-trained filly ran on into second on return earlier this month and made a step up in trip on her third start. Chasing the leaders under Hollie Doyle, the bay produced a challenge entering the final furlong and ran on well to win by half a length.

Owned by Chris Van Hoorn Racing, Nell Quickly was bought by Norris/Huntingdon as a yearling for £70,000. Bred by George Kent, she provides an important update for her yearling half-brother by Caravaggio.

The previous race saw another improving type get off the mark, with The Bay Warrior (3g The Gurkha - Fraulein, by Acatenango) making most of the running to win by an impressive seven and a half lengths.

Oisin Murphy partnered the Mark Usher-trained winner, who has finished second on two previous occasions. Owned by Andy and Lizzie Cova, The Bay Warrior was bred by Diomed Bloodstock Ltd.

Both come from the first crop of top-class three-year-old The Gurkha, an impressive winner of the French 2,000 Guineas and a determined victor of the Sussex Stakes.