Nell Gwyn winner Daban's low draw gives Gosden grave concerns

3.35 Newmarket
Qipco 1,000 Guineas | 1m, 3yo | RUK/ITV

A wing and a prayer would nicely sum up the pre-Qipco 1,000 Guineas thoughts of trainer John Gosden, who is keeping his fingers crossed that being drawn lowest of the 14 runners will not excessively hamper the prospects of Daban.

Gosden and Frankie Dettori both have the fillies' Classic on their individual rolls of honour but they have never claimed the race together, something they seek to rectify with last month's Nell Gwyn winner, who steps up by a furlong to a mile on only the third outing of her career.

"She's a sweet filly and won her trial in good style but I don't like her draw in stall one at all," said Gosden, whose only 1,000 Guineas victory came with Lahan 17 years ago.

"As the stalls are on the stands' side and they have a cutaway rail in place, I would think we may well be away from the main action. On the plus side, we know she handles the track and goes there in good shape."

Gosden, whose three-year-old fillies have been in sparkling form this spring, has directed owner Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah's Fred Darling Stakes winner Dabyah to France, leaving Daban to compete on home territory under a jockey successful in three 1,000 Guineas for Godolphin.

"We're going into the race positive," Dettori told ITV Racing. "She's learning as she's only had two runs. The only thing I'm worried about is she has never run a mile. I'm pretty confident she'll run a big race though."

ProsMassively unexposed and won what appeared to be one of the deepest Nell Gwyns staged in many a year

ConsStamina for a mile not guaranteed, while Gosden's draw fears must be noted

NELL GWYN WINNERS IN THE GUINEAS

2006 Speciosa WON
2007 Scarlet Runner 7th
2008 Infallible 4th
2009 Fantasia Did not run
2010 Music Show 6th
2011 Barefoot Lady 5th
2012 Esentepe Did not run
2013 Hot Snap 9th
2014 Sandiva 9th
2015 Osaila 7th
2016 Nathra 5th