Cityscape's Give and Take Wins the Musidora

York's G3 Tattersalls Musidora S. is often a race with some gravitas as Epsom looms on the horizon and while there was little before and after to suggest the 2018 edition was up to standard, it was Nicholas Jones's Give and Take (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) whose name will sit on the honour roll of one of the season's prestige races for the fillies of the Classic generation. Second to TDN Rising Stars Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Crystal Hope (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in novice contests at Yarmouth in August and Sandown Apr. 27 either side of a clear-cut win at Lingfield in September, the Coln Valley Stud homebred was anchored in rear early by James Doyle. Gradually cajoled into contention as the majority of the field spread out halfway up the straight, the 7-2 second favourite rolled by Dancing Brave Bear (Street Cry {Ire}) with a furlong remaining and onto a length success. With doubts about the form, perhaps trainer William Haggas's reaction said it all. “She's a stakes winner for the breeder, so I'm delighted,” he simply commented. As for the June 1 G1 Epsom Oaks, it is not a straightforward case of heading there. “I've never been convinced a mile and a half is her go, as she's always shown speed at home,” he added. “I have her in the [May 27 G1 Prix] Saint-Alary [at ParisLongchamp] next weekend and I'm going to look at that even though I know it's quite soon. The breeder tells me there is a lot of stamina in her pedigree and there is only one [Epsom] Oaks, so if he wants to go for it we'll go.”
Nicholas Jones's Gloucestershire-based operation has enjoyed success over the jumps and minor glory on the level, with the John Dunlop-trained Scarlet Runner (GB) (Night Shift) the best of those until now having won the 2006 G3 Princess Margaret S. and following year's G3 Nell Gwyn S. Give and Take is the first foal out of the unraced dam Grace and Glory (Ire), who is a full-sister to the five-times group 1-winning Irish Derby and Ascot Gold Cup hero Fame and Glory (GB). One of her other two black-type half-sisters Guaranda (GB) (Acatenango {Ger}) produced the G3 Lillie Langtry S. scorer Gravitation (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), while her less-distinguished full-sibling Yummy Mummy (GB) is the dam of Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who captured the G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Nassau S. and G1 Matron S. Descendants of the G2 German 1000 Guineas-winning third dam Grimpola (Ger) (Windwurf {Ger}) include the MG1SW Gonbarda (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) and her G1 Champion S. and G1 Lockinge S.-winning son Farhh (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Grace and Glory is already proving a wellspring for Coln Valley, with her 2-year-old colt Alkaamel (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) bought by Shadwell for 250,000gns at Tattersalls October. She also has a yearling colt by Showcasing (GB).

Wednesday, York, Britain
TATTERSALLS MUSIDORA S.-G3, £100,000, York, 5-16, 3yo, f, 10f 56yT, 2:12.04, g/f.
1–GIVE AND TAKE (GB), 126, f, 3, by Cityscape (GB)
1st Dam: Grace And Glory (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Gryada (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
3rd Dam: Grimpola (Ger), by Windwurf (Ger)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Nicholas Jones; B-Coln Valley Stud (GB); T-William Haggas; J-James Doyle. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 5-2-3-0, $91,736. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dancing Brave Bear, 126, f, 3, Street Cry (Ire)–Baghdaria, by Royal Academy. ($230,000 Ylg '16 KEESEP). O-Ballymore Sterling Syndicate; B-CASA Farms I LLC (KY); T-Ed Vaughan. £21,500.
3–Ejtyah (GB), 126, f, 3, Frankel (GB)">Frankel (GB)–Darysina, by Smart Strike. O-Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah; B-Good Breeding (GB); T-David Simcock. £10,760.
Margins: 1, 1HF, NK. Odds: 3.50, 14.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: Highgarden (GB), Lubinka (Ire), Ceilidhs Dream (GB), Expensive Liaison (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.