Do we have another Guineas filly at Clarehaven? Gosdens unleash Classic entry Asmeralda in fascinating Nell Gwyn

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Only Sir Henry Cecil has saddled more winners of the Nell Gwyn than John Gosden’s total of six, and two of the stable’s last three winners returned at 12-1 and 9-1. That suggests Asmeralda is worth a second look now that she comes here after just one all-weather outing.

She went off 11-10 for that debut at Kempton in December, but was still only second favourite behind the Charlie Appleby-trained Pierchic. However, she took advantage of the 7lb she received from that rival to win by half a length. The front two put three and three-quarter lengths on the rest.

Pierchic finished third in the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp on Sunday, so the form looks strong, and Asmeralda is open to loads of progress with Oisin Murphy back on board.

Asmeralda has a similar form chance to Act Of Kindness, who is rated just 1lb superior on Racing Post Ratings, despite having had one more run. She recorded an RPR of 81 when breaking her maiden over course and distance in October and remains open to improvement.

Act Of Kindness (left) wins the 7f maiden fillies for Godolphin

Act Of Kindness: got off the mark at Newmarket last OctoberCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Her trainer Charlie Appleby has won the race only once, and that is from eight attempts in the last ten years. His record isn’t close to the Gosden yard so it’s a surprise Act Of Kindness is so short in the betting.

Of course the winner could come from last year’s Cheveley Park Stakes. That Group 1 provides the strongest piece of form, and Fitzella might be capable of reversing the places with fourth-placed America Queen, while Golden Palace and Beautify were also involved

Fitzella helped set a fast pace that day and will be a big player if ridden more conservatively here.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Hugo Palmer hopeful French form gives Fitzella leading claims

There is plenty of Group 1 juvenile form to sift for the Nell Gwyn, but Hugo Palmer believes Fitzella is best judged by her Group 2 second to the Andre Fabre-trained My Highness at Deauville rather than on her fifth-placed effort in the Cheveley Park.

That run in France came over 7f, and at the time My Highness somewhat towered over Fitzella. But Palmer is pleased to report his daughter of Too Darn Hot has developed physically since.

Fitzella: made all in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot

Fitzella: "She has grown plenty"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"I was nervous that she wouldn't, but she has grown plenty," said Palmer. "Her work has been pleasing and we felt she stayed seven at Deauville and just got beaten by a better horse.

"I'm very excited, slash terrified, of seeing My Highness again, but my filly has done well. I think she was over the top when she ran in the Cheveley Park, when she got a bit upset in the gates and hit them.

"That was totally out of character, and while I'm not saying she would have been good enough to win, we feel she ran below her best. I'm very happy with her."

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Act Of Kindness
Act Of Kindness knows the Rowley Mile well, with her two starts to date coming at the course. She has wintered well and, like a lot of the field, we are dipping our toe into this level to see where we are heading for the first half of the season.

Richard Hughes, trainer of America Queen
I’m delighted with her prep – I think I’ve got her pretty fit so I think she’ll run a big race. I hope she handles the track a bit better than she did in the Cheveley Park, but they if they go a stride slower over seven she should be fine.

America Queen just misses out to Royal Fixation in the Lowther

America Queen: the grey was second in the Lowther last season and bids to go one betterCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Asmeralda
She won on her only start towards the backend of last year. She’s been training well into the spring, although the trials are always a significant step up for horses with her profile.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Azleet
I’m really pleased with her, she looks great. There isn’t a huge programme for sprinting fillies, but Mark Tompkins bred her and still owns a share, and we came up with this plan instead. It’s a tough race but she’s in very good form and I’m hopeful she’ll run well.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Beautify
She's a smart filly. She won a Group 2 last year and ran well in the Moyglare afterwards, as well. It's her first run back and she will come on for it, but she seems to be in good form.

Beautify winning the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh in June

Beautify wins the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh in JuneCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of Golden Palace and Mubasimah
Andrew [Balding] is very pleased with the way Mubasimah is working at home. The only negative is he wishes she could have got a bit more sun on her back and she could have come in her coat a bit more. But all the trainers are saying the same thing, and she must have an outstanding chance. I definitely think the extra furlong will help Golden Palace. She's probably got to find a couple of lengths, but she's not far behind some of these and I was impressed with her in the Bosra Sham, when she was right in the firing line all the way and kept on going.

Hollie Doyle, rider of Harlequin Breeze
She's a big price, but I think the ground will be great for her. She's very tough and got experience on the track and she ran well there last time. I've sat on her a few times between the season on the gallops and she's a typical New Bay.

David Menuisier, trainer of Inis Mor
She's done well physically and I'm happy with her to start off with. She's not a work horse and it's very hard to tell very much because she only does the bare minimum. We can only get her as fit as we can to start and then go from there. She should stay at least up to a mile and two and she's a nice, sturdy filly. I just wanted to keep her in Britain first time out rather than travel to France. I don't think she's ground dependent, but my gut feeling is I'd prefer her on quick ground where she shows more kick.

Tom Clover, trainer of Silenciosa
We like her, she’s a nice-looking filly and has trained well this spring. She’s quite a good size and I wouldn’t want the ground to dry up too much for her. She looks great and I hope she has a bright future.
Reporting by Scott Burton