Barry Hills can roll back the years with Fadhayyil
GHANAATI’s triumph in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas six years ago for Barry Hills remains the fastest ever carded in this race. This year, Hills’ hopes of landing a third 1,000 Guineas (3.40pm) rest with FADHAYYIL.
In the same way that Ghanaati prepared for the first fillies’ Classic of the season in 2009, Fadhayyil worked on the Rowley Mile at the Craven Meeting instead of contesting the Nell Gwyn Stakes.
Apart from that early morning gander at Newmarket just over a fortnight ago, this potentially top class prospect has not been seen on the track since finishing runner-up to the Jim Bolger-trained Lucida last September.
The Godolphin-owned daughter of Shamardal finished only a length clear of my selection in the Rockfel Stakes, despite Hills’ charge running green throughout and idling when hitting the front.
The bookmakers appear to be taking that piece of form too literally, making Lucida shorter than Fadhayyil for Sunday’s contest at 5/1 with Betway.
With breeding suggesting Fadhayyil is an out-and-out miler, the step up in trip should bring a great deal of improvement.
I’m happy to put my faith in the experienced Hills, and a filly most likely to progress from her last run. She is worth supporting at 7/1 with Betway.
The punting angle may yet be made slightly easier with uncertainty surrounding Ballydoyle’s favourite. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has not confirmed what seemed his main contender, Found, for the feature and she’s drifted out to 11/2 with Betway from 11/4 two weeks ago.
Other interesting contenders are the Mick Channon-trained Malabar, Nell Gwyn winner Osaila and Qualify, who has attracted strong market support all week.
On the rest of the card I’m keen to back ASTRONEREUS in the opening handicap (1.50pm).
Amanda Perrett’s colt has a good pedigree and ran well in some big handicaps after landing his maiden on the July course here. The four-year-old looks good value against likely favourite Gothic, who finished just in front when the pair met in early April.
Astronereus paid the price for trying to go with the front-running winner Master Of Finance that day and, ridden with a little more restraint, should go close.
Fintry has at least 5lb in hand of her rivals in the Dahlia Stakes (2.25pm), but needs a fair bit of cut in the ground to be seen at her best.
BRAGGING represents Sir Michael Stoute, who’s had five winners and a second from the last eight runnings of this Group Two.
Progressive over seven furlongs last season, the daughter of Exchange Rate looks ready for the step back up to a mile.
■ Pointers…
ASTRONEREUS e/w 1.50pm Newmarket (Sunday)
BRAGGING 2.25pm Newmarket (Sunday)
FADHAYYIL e/w 3.40pm Newmarket (Sunday)