Qatar Racing’s Battle Of The Nile scores on handicap debut

Oisin Murphy (foreground) rides Battle Of The Nile to victory in Cazoo Nursery Handicap in Wolverhampton on Tuesday. (Jonathon Hipkiss)

Having his first start in a handicap, the Qatar Racing Limited-owned Battle Of The Nile took the Cazoo Nursery Handicap in Wolverhampton, England, on Tuesday. The two-year-old, trained by James Ferguson, had shown some promise on his three previous runs, including when only beaten three lengths on his most recent start at Kempton and was having his first run as a gelding here. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Battle Of The Nile was settled towards the rear of the field in the early stages of the six-furlong contest. A strong early pace was set by Tinkertstar and Battle Of The Nile travelled well for Murphy. On the turn for home, the eventual second Sagittarius took over and headed the field into the straight. Battle Of The Nile was switched to the outside and once clear, closed down Sagittarius inside the final furlong. He went on to win easily by a length at the line. Sagittarius took second, with the strong-finishing Bro a further head back in third. Bred by the Gertrude Versed Partnership, Battle Of The Nile is by Tweenhill’s Stud stallion Havana Gold. He is out of Gertrude Versed, who was twice listed- placed and a winner over a mile and three furlongs.