Novellara on course for Goodwood
Novellara, Henry Cecil’s unexposed half-sister to 1997 Oaks winner Reams Of Verse, is likely to step up to a mile and six furlongs as she bids for her first Group Three success in the Lillie Langtry Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday.
Khalid Abdulla’s promising twice-raced Sadler’s Wells filly made a winning debut in a 10-furlong Salisbury maiden in May before taking a big leap in class on her next start in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Cecil’s charge did not relish the quick underfoot conditions that day but was not disgraced when finishing eighth and less than three and a half lengths eighth behind Mont Etoile.
David Lanigan, assistant trainer to Cecil, said: “The plan is to step Novellara up to a mile and six furlongs in the Lillie Langtry Stakes.
“She’s doing very well and came out of Ascot fine.
“We’re just hoping that there’s a tiny bit of give in the ground, that’s the only reason we haven’t run her since.
“They produce decent ground at Goodwood every year because they have a good watering policy so hopefully it won’t be a problem.
“She’s ready to race and is in great order.
“We’ve had her ready to go for a while and have just been keeping her ticking over, so hopefully she’ll give a good account of herself.”
