Daban delights Gosden as front two outstay Nell Gwyn winner

John Gosden could not help but look on in admiration at the horses filling the first and second spots after the 1,000 Guineas.

The former champion trainer had just watched his Nell Gwyn winner Daban produce an improved performance at Newmarket, although she was rewarded with no better than third.

“I’m delighted with the run,” Gosden said of the Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah-owned filly. “A strongly run mile is far enough for her and those two beautiful Galileo fillies stayed better than her today. She’s improved on her Nell Gwyn run and she’s getting better.”

Daban’s next engagement is likely to be the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot next month where the test of speed will play to her strengths.

Gosden said: “What makes sense is for her to drop to seven furlongs and go for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. She’s sprint-bred and she’s run a tremendous race, but those Galileo fillies are just that bit better than her at a mile.”

Talaayeb: set to step up in tripCredit: Edward Whitaker

Fourth-placed Talaayeb is unlikely to be sticking to a mile either, but it is a step up in trip for the Investec Oaks next month that connections are thinking of.

Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “We’re thrilled. It was only her second start and to me she looks like she wants further. “I haven’t had a chance to speak to anyone about it, but I’d say there’s a chance she could go for the Oaks. That would be the way I would be thinking after that performance.”