Dubawi's Anna Nerium Downs European Free Handicap Rivals

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Anna Nerium had won over this trip on the July Course in July prior to creating a 40-1 shock when taking the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. dropping back a furlong at Salisbury in September. Ninth on her only subsequent outing in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. over this course and distance the following month, the chestnut put some fair colts to the sword here to become the first filly to win this since the eventual 1000 Guineas heroine Mrs McArdy (GB) in 1977. Jockey Tom Marquand was surprised and impressed at the winner, who holds an entry in the May 6 fillies's Classic. “I wasn't sure what to expect, as she's not very big but she proved last year that she's tough and she absolutely powered away up the hill. She shocked me a bit with the turn of foot she showed. I think at the end of last year it all got to her a little bit. She travelled sweetly in behind and I kicked a bit too soon in the end.” Richard Hannon added, “There was nothing flukey about that group 3 win and there was nothinig flukey about that,” he said. “If you win a trial like that, you have to take your chance [in the Guineas].”
Given her stout pedigree, it is a surprise that Anna Nerium is achieving so much over this kind of trip but her full-brother Piping Rock (GB) also proved highly effective at seven furlongs when winning the G3 Horris Hill S. She is also a half-sister to three other black-type performers including the stable's G3 Prix d'Aumale winner and G2 Oaks d'Italia runner-up Middle Club and the G3 Prix de Royaumont third Anna Mona (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). Another of the dam's daughters Coplow (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) has produced two useful fillies to race for this stable in last year's G3 Prestige S. winner Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and Listed Upavon S. scorer Billesdon Bess (GB) (Dick Turpin {Ire}). The second dam is the G2 Preis der Diana-winning German champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old filly Anna Paola, whose descendants include the GI Flower Bowl Invitational S. heroine Ave (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and MG1SW sires Epaulette (Aus) (Commands {Aus}) and Helmet (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}).

BET365 EUROPEAN FREE H.-Listed, £50,000, NEW, 4-18, 3yo, 7fT, 1:26.34, gd.
1–ANNA NERIUM (GB), 123, f, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Anna Oleanda (Ire), by Old Vic (GB)
2nd Dam: Anna Paola (Ger), by Prince Ippi (Ger)
3rd Dam: Antwerpen (Ger), by Waldcanter (Ger)
(300,000gns RNA Ylg '16 TATOCT). O-Mrs R J McCreery; B-Stowell Hill Ltd (GB); T-Richard Hannon; J-Tom Marquand. £28,355. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 6-3-0-1, $80,380. *Full to Piping Rock (GB), GSW-Eng; and 1/2 to Middle Club (GB) (Fantastic Light), GSW-Fr, GSP-Ity & MSP-Eng, $254,972; Anna Mona (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), GSP-Fr; and Anna Royal (GB) (Royal Dragon), SP-Ger & Ity.
2–Finniston Farm (GB), 124, c, 3, Helmet (Aus)–Logic (GB), by Slip Anchor (GB). (65,000gns Ylg '16 TAOCT). O-The Famous Five Partnership. £10,750.
3–Another Batt (Ire), 124, g, 3, Windsor Knot (Ire)–Mrs Batt (Ire), by Medecis (GB). O-Excel Racing (Another Batt). £5,380.
Margins: 3, 3/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 25.00, 9.00, 16.00.
Also Ran: Staxton (GB), Hey Jonesy (Ire), Nebo (Ire), Great Prospector (Ire), Snazzy Jazzy (Ire), Folk Tale (Ire), Rufus King (GB). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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