Dual Classic winner and Royal Ascot heroine Winter takes a step into the unknown in an enthralling renewal of the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

The brilliant Minding provided trainer Aidan O'Brien with a third success in the 10-furlong showpiece last year and following her recent retirement due to injury, Winter has big boots to fill.

The three-year-old daughter of Galileo has emphatically proved herself the best of her generation over a mile by completing the English-Irish 1000 Guineas double, after which she landed the Coronation Stakes in June.

O'Brien is confident the step up to a mile and a quarter will not hinder his latest star filly.

"It's her first time over a mile and a quarter but she is in good form," said the Ballydoyle handler.

"We always thought she was a very high-class filly. From the first time she ran she has progressed with every run.

"We were delighted with all three of her Group One wins and have been impressed all three times.

"You can never be sure that she will get the mile and a quarter, but she is by Galileo, which is obviously a big help."

O'Brien also saddles Hydrangea, who beat Winter at Leopardstown in the spring but has proved no match for her esteemed stablemate on her last three starts.

John Gosden was also due to fire a formidable twin assault as he bids to win the prize for a fifth time, but he has taken Shutter Speed out on account of the ground.

He relies solely on So Mi Dar, who has been out of action since last October and is the mount of Frankie Dettori.

Sir Michael Stoute calls on Breeders' Cup heroine Queen's Trust, who was last seen finishing a close fourth in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Chris Richardson, racing manager to owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "She was slowly away from the stalls at Ascot, which is one of her traits, and she did the same last year.

"She got hemmed in when she tried to get a run and was flying at the finish. We definitely felt she could have been a bit closer.

"She will go for the Nassau now. You can never take things for granted, but it is the right race for her and she ran well when she finished second in it last year."