The Nutan Plan

Hoppegarten’s 125th G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin sees the first major clash of the generations on Sunday, with the leader of the sophomore crop, Nutan (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), bidding to underline the merit of his five-length triumph in the July 5 G1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg. With a possible tilt at the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the horizon, Stall Nizza’s bay will have to account for his elders, who include the visiting Second Step (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}). Successful in the G2 Jockey Club S. at Newmarket May 2, Merry Fox Stud’s 4-year-old found only the subsequent G2 Goodwood Cup scorer Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) a half-length too strong under a three-pound penalty in the July 9 G2 Princess of Wales’s S. on the July Course back there. Gestut Schlenderhan customarily has a hand to play in these contests, and is represented by the lightly raced and progressive Ito (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Making all to win with authority by four lengths in the G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Unternehmer over 11 furlongs at Baden-Baden last time June 7, the homebred faces his sternest examination to date.