Qabala new 1,000 Guineas favourite after convincing Nell Gwyn victory

In a crowded and open ante-post market, Qabala jumped to the head of the betting for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas as she defeated stablemate Mot Juste to give trainer Roger Varian a one-two in the Classic trial.

Prior to the Newmarket race Skitter Scatter led the betting at 8-1, but bookmakers were able to hang their hats on Qabala at a general 5-1 (from as big as 66) after an impressive length-and-three-quarter victory on only her second start.

A course-and-distance winner last September, Qabala – along with fellow debut winner Mercenary Rose – was the least experienced runner in the Nell Gywn, but she was professional enough to thread between runners in the closing stages before staying on nicely.

With such limited mileage, the daughter of Scat Daddy appeals strongly as the type to improve again, and Varian now has a pleasant dilemma with two fillies to consider for the Classic on May 5.

"She worked well and we've got high hopes for her, but when you come in off the back of one run and one win into a competitive race like this you're never quite sure," said Varian.

Roger Varian (left) after watching Qabala lead home a 1-2 in the Nell GwynCredit: Edward Whitaker

As race-time approached a sustained move into 100-30 favourite (from 6) suggested a big run was in the offing from Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani's filly, and Varian added: "She had a lovely passage through and quickened really well up the hill. You had only to see in the paddock, she hasn't come in her coat yet.

"I nearly didn't run her thinking she hadn't come to herself. I think the race will really bring her forward so I think there's more to come."

A rematch with Mot Juste in the Guineas looks likely, as Varian was also full of praise for the runner-up, who had signed off her juvenile campaign with a course-and-distance victory in the Oh So Sharp Stakes.

"They're different types of fillies," continued Varian. "They both deserve, given health and soundness, to have a crack at the Guineas.

"Mot Juste travelled strong and ran a great race. She maybe got a bit tired up the hill, then got her second wind."

Winning jockey David Egan had got his eye in on the Rowley Mile on Monday when partnering a breeze-up horse on the course for the sales, and thinks Qabala has the requisite stamina for a mile.

He said: "It was a fact-finding mission to see if she was good enough to run in the 1,000 Guineas and she certainly answered the question. She stayed on well enough to suggest a mile will be well within her compass."

Third went to Angel's Hideaway, who was on the back foot after a tardy start.

Jockey Robert Havlin said: "She got a bit upset in the stalls, which is why she was slowly away. She finished just behind the filly she was second to last year [Mot Juste] so she's run well from her draw."

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