Midday delivers Group One for Cecil

Midday finally gained a well-deserved Group One success after being placed in two Classics when landing the Blue Square Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.The Henry Cecil-trained filly, sent off at 11-2 and ridden by Tom Queally, ploughed through the testing conditions in tremendous style to win from 5-2 favourite Rainbow View. Moneycantbuymelove was third as the three-year-olds dominated the finish.Epsom Oaks runner-up Midday had floundered in the mud at the Curragh when a tired third to Sariska in the Irish version, and Queally, winning his third Group One of the season, was quick to salute master trainer Cecil, He said: "She did it well, and she's back to her best. Henry stuck his neck out and said he wanted to run. We just didn't want to break her heart again and disappoint her (on soft ground) but she went on it better than I thought she would - Irish soft ground and English are two different things, and this proved it.Cecil added: "I nearly pulled her out, but I lost my bottle. She doesn't like it soft but I had seen her work well on good to soft, and they were going through it. The times of the other races weren't too bad so I took a chance, but then thought 'God, I have done the wrong thing'."I couldn't watch, but I heard everyone shouting 'come on Midday' so I knew we weren't tailed off. Ten furlongs might be her trip and there's the Prix de l'Opera. She's in the Yorkshire Oaks but it comes quick - although if it came up fast and she finished second you'd get £60,000, which is more than you would at Folkestone!"Owner Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: "The ground in Ireland was heavy, and Irish heavy at that, so it was a totally different thing. This filly really is testament to Henry's genius, and his belief in her."Rainbow View's trainer John Gosden said: "It was another good effort. We're happy with her and she's done nothing wrong. The winner was better - it's as simple as that. She'll keep going over a mile or 10 furlongs, and I'm pleased to see three three-year-olds finishing first second and third."Sariska's trainer Michael Bell is also responsible for Moneycantbuymelove and said: "It was an excellent run from a fast-improving filly. It was good to see her perform like that at Group One level."We'll have to be a bit clever with her now. There is the possibility of going for the EP Taylor in Canada. I'm pleased to see Midday win as it franks Sariska's form."