Nassau now looks set to be next for Cercene

Joe Murphy is now favouring heading to Goodwood with his Coronation Stakes winner Cercene over the Irish Oaks.

In the immediate aftermath of the popular success at Royal Ascot, connections raised the possibility of supplementing the diminutive filly for the Curragh Classic.

However, Murphy’s enthusiasm to step up half a mile in trip appears to have cooled and the Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood looks favourite, followed by the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes on Irish Champions Festival.

“She came out of Ascot very well and we are very happy with her,” said Murphy, whose filly was a 33-1 winner at the showpiece meeting.

“We were thinking of going to the Juddmonte Irish Oaks with her, but we might be leaning towards the Nassau now and then from there we would definitely be looking to go on to the Matron Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival.

“The reaction to her winning the Coronation was unbelievable. I got over a thousand texts. I think people got a great kick out of it. As I said before, it was liking winning an All-Ireland medal. I waited 50 years to get the first Group One but the thing is, when you’ve gotten one, you want two, isn’t that it?

“Cercene is continuing to improve it seems, which is what you like to see, so we’ll look forward to what is to come.”