Haggas and Varian dominate runners for Falmouth Stakes

Qabala is one of two runners for Roger Varian. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Beshaayir bids to execute a long-term plan when she tackles Group One company for the first time in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, a race that forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series Fillies & Mares category..

Trainer William Haggas revealed he has had Friday’s mile showpiece in mind for his Iffraaj filly since she took the step up to Group Two class in her stride when making all to lift the Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh seven weeks ago.

“She’s done very well since the race,” said the Newmarket trainer. “We’re very happy with her, and this has always been on our radar since she won a Group Two.”

Beshaayir kept the Aidan O’Brien-trained I Can Fly at bay by a length and a half in Ireland, and had her own stablemate One Master back in fourth place.

One Master has since finished a highly-creditable third behind Lord Glitters in the Queen Anne Stakes when taking on the boys at Royal Ascot.

It was not the intention to run One Master in this race, but Haggas felt it was too good opportunity to miss when the race cut up.

“She ran a marvellous race at Ascot and she’s in very good form,” he said. “I wasn’t planning to run here, but there were so few entries.

“We’re not quite sure she got home at Ascot, so we will have to be careful, but she’s in good form. I’m very happy with her.”

Roger Varian is responsible for the two three-year-olds in the line-up, Qabala and Mot Juste, and feels there is little to choose between them.

On form, it would appear Qabala has the edge because she finished ahead of her stablemate in both the Nell Gwyn Stakes and 1000 Guineas. However, Varian finds it hard to split the pair.

“I have to stick with what I said before Newmarket in that I didn’t think there was much between them,” he said. “The Nell Gwyn showed there wasn’t much between them, and the 1000 Guineas run didn’t reflect their true ability.

“I think Mot Juste is a better filly than her run in the 1000 Guineas. On race form you would have to put Qabala ahead of Mot Juste – but to watch and get to know them every day, there is not much between them.”

Irish raider I Can Fly was third to the Haggas-trained Move Swiftly in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes on her latest outing – one place ahead of Sir Michael Stoute’s Veracious, who completes the line-up.