Emily Upjohn is set to compete in the Qatar Nassau Stakes

Kieran Shoemark is hoping for dry conditions to allow the supplemented Emily Upjohn to perform at her best in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday.

The five-year-old mare was narrowly defeated by Bluestocking in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland last time out, a race whose form was significantly strengthened by Bluestocking’s subsequent impressive run, finishing just behind the surprising winner Goliath in the King George at Ascot last weekend.

Emily Upjohn is one of ten contenders in the Group One feature on day three of Goodwood's Qatar Festival, although her stablemate Inspiral, trained by John and Thady Gosden, has not been entered.

Shoemark expressed his excitement about riding the filly on good, fast ground on Thursday, hoping for dry conditions. He noted that she is a top-class filly and that a mile and a quarter suits her well. He did not anticipate any issues with the track.

He acknowledged Bluestocking's rise in form, describing her as an outstanding filly and suggesting that they may have simply been beaten by a superior horse that day in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

Shoemark firmly believes that Emily Upjohn excels on good ground. While she has performed admirably on softer going, he maintains that she shows her best form on firmer surfaces, citing her exceptional turn of foot when she won the Coronation Cup with Frankie Dettori riding.

Emily Upjohn's main competitor in the market is Opera Singer, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who will be making her debut over 10 furlongs after strong finishes in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes.

Ralph Beckett will field Doha, the daughter of dual Arc winner Treve, alongside Lady Boba. Additionally, Sparkling Plenty seeks to justify her impressive £5 million price tag after being sold following her win in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly in June.

Roger Varian’s 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka will also be trying the distance for the first time, with See The Fire, Stay Alert, Novus, and Lumiere Rock rounding out the field.