Prix Morny looms for Nando Parrado

PA Sport Reporters
July 15, 2020 1:47 pm

Coventry winner has several options en route to Deauville Group One.

Clive Cox is considering a clutch of options for his shock Royal Ascot winner Nando Parrado.

The Kodiac colt stepped up on his debut fifth at Newmarket to spring a 150-1 surprise in the Coventry Stakes, and Cox has the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville on August 23 as his primary target.

Nando Parrado has a choice of possible races before then, though, with his Lambourn trainer expecting plans to be firmed up in the coming days.

Cox said: “We’ll make a little bit more of a decision after the weekend. He’s had a bit of time to get over his race at Ascot – he’s still only a baby, but a very high class one.

“We’ve got entries in the Prix Robert Papin, the Phoenix and the Morny as well – with the Morny being the main Group One target that we want to head to, and the stepping stones in between will be decided dependent on the horse’s well-being and how he’s feeling in the meantime.

“I don’t think he wants it rattling firm. It was drying ground on the Saturday at Ascot, and he beat a field we were still learning about to be fair, but I think his quality to do it the way he did it shows it wasn’t a fluke – and the price was extraordinary, really.”

Nando Parrado is named after one of the survivors of a 1972 plane crash in the Andes which was the subject of a best-selling book and subsequent film.

Cox reports owners Paul and Marie McCarten have been in touch with the colt’s namesake.

The trainer added: “He (the human Nando Parrado) most certainly does (know about the Royal Ascot win).

“I’ve not spoken to him directly, but I know the owners have, and he’s thrilled he’s got such a high-profile horse competing with his name. He was thrilled about it in the first place, so that’s good.”