Qabala states her case for QIPCO 1000 Guineas glory

Qabala asserts in the Nell Gwyn. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Qabala is the new favourite for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on May 5 after she landed the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on Tuesday.

Winner of her only start as a two-year-old, Qabala justified strong market support to beat her stablemate Mot Juste by a length and three-quarters.

Betway make her their new 5-1 favourite for the fillies’ Classic, which is the second race in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series, with Ladbrokes two points bigger at 7-1.

She featured among our Dark Horses series in February.

Varian said: “I was very impressed. She came in inexperienced only having the one start. She has worked well and she worked well last year before she ran and won. We have high hopes for her.

“When you come off the back of one run and go into a competitive race like this, you are never quite sure. I was delighted how she switched off and she quickened really well.

“They are two nice fillies. Mot Juste ran a great race. She was ridden a bit more forward, travelled strongly and went there to win her race. She got a bit tired up the hill and got a second wind.”

He added: “I think Qabala had a lovely passage through and came into the picture a bit later. They are different types of fillies. They move differently and behave differently.

“Qabala would be more flashy in her homework, but they don’t work together. They both deserve – given health and soundness – to possibly come back for a crack at the Guineas.

“Qabala has not come in her coat yet and I nearly didn’t run her. She had been trained for the race to trial today and bar having a long coat, I have been happy with her work and she has got a healthy look to her. There wasn’t a reason not to come except she hadn’t come in her coat.

“I hope the race the will bring her on and I think she will look different in her appearance next time she races. We thought the maiden form was strong at the time and we liked her before that maiden, so we went into the winter thinking she was a nice one.”