No Nay Never Filly Notches Newmarket Group 3

Merrily (2f No Nay Never – Caponata, by Selkirk) proved her class when producing a smart performance in Friday’s Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly won a Naas maiden in June, before finishing fourth at Listed level and progressed to finish third in a Group 3 at Goodwood, where she was persistently denied a clear run.

The bay remained over seven furlongs on her latest start and was positioned at the back of the field by Wayne Lordan. She was last with two furlongs to race, but quickened smartly once asked by Wayne Lordan. She ran on well to lead inside the final furlong, going on to beat the favourite by half a length, with another three and a quarter lengths back to the third.

“She was very unlucky in Goodwood,” O’Brien later explained. “She had to kind of jump two or three hurdles up the straight there. Wayne rode her the last day and thought it all went wrong then for him too, and he didn't get any cover and she did too much. That's why she was here.

“She's a fine, big filly and Wayne gave her a lovely ride today. She won very nicely and I think she is a Guineas filly now, looking at her. It will be interesting as she is a big, rangy filly with lots of class and she handles dig in the ground.”

Owned by Coolmore partners, the daughter of No Nay Never was bred by Lynch Bages and Camas Park Stud.