Chic Weaves to Celebration Mile Victory

Chic, ridden by Kieren Fallon, came from last to overtake hard-luck Nayyir and claim Saturday's Celebration Mile (Eng-II) over a very soft course at Goodwood.

Cheveley Park's 4-year-old filly, who won the Stan James Hungerford Stakes (Eng-III) Aug. 14 at Newbury, hit the front fifty yards from home to win by 1 1/4 lengths for trainer Sir Michael Stoute. Chic, a daughter of Machiavellian trailed the field of seven until the final three-sixteenths of mile.

The 6-year-old Nayyir, ridden by Mick Kinane, had a three-length lead with a furlong to go, but couldn't hold on in the one-mile test contested on soft to heavy going. The final time was 1:43.22. Hurricane Allen finished third, five lengths behind Nayyir, with Court Masterpiece fourth.

Nayyir went to the front on the outside of his rivals two furlongs out before Chic had started her rally. Fallon followed the gaps and angled right for the final assault on the leader and win drawing away.

"I've always liked this filly but two furlongs out I thought we were booked for second place and her chance had gone," Fallon told Racing Post. "They went very quick in the heavy ground but I knew they couldn't stay that pace. Mine couldn't go the pace anyway and it was a case of waiting for the gaps.

"She is a very good filly as she proved by coming back from where she did. Mick had gone and tried to steal the race."

Passing Glance, Brunel and Naahy trailed.