Well-fancied 1,000 Guineas contender Saffron Beach 'could be an Oaks filly'

Jane Chapple-Hyam expects Nell Gwyn second Saffron Beach to thrive on her first attempt at a mile in Sunday's Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The trainer anticipates the daughter of New Bay coming into her own over the longer trip and believes she may even develop into a Cazoo Oaks contender.

She is a general 10-1 shot for the first fillies' Classic of the season and will try to emulate the classy Sky Lantern, the last runner-up in the Nell Gwyn to go one better in the 1,000 Guineas eight years ago.

Qipco 1,000 Guineas card and betting

Saffron Beach will be ridden by her regular jockey Adam Kirby and faces a rematch with her trial conqueror Sacred in a race headed by ante-post gamble Santa Barbara for Aidan O'Brien.

Chapple-Hyam said of last season's Oh So Sharp Stakes winner: "We call Saffron Beach 'Petal' in the yard as she is such a sweetie and her dam is Falling Petals.

"I would say she was around 90 per cent fit for the Nell Gwyn, after which she had a good blow, and she shaped then as if she needs a mile already. She could even be an Oaks filly in time."

Abington Place stables, the base of Jane Chapple-HyamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Chapple-Hyam's Abington Place Stables has hosted two previous 1,000 Guineas winners in Abermaid (1962) and Full Dress (1969), both trained by Harry Wragg. Harry’s son and successor Geoff also went close when Marling was beaten just a head in 1992.

Chapple-Hyam added: "If Santa Barbara is as good as they say she is then we're all in trouble but I expect our filly to run a nice race as she has had more experience of the track than most and is very well balanced."

Alcohol Free is among the opposition after making a successful return to action at Newbury this month and her jockey Oisin Murphy believes the filly can take another step forward on her first attempt over a mile.

Murphy said: "I was thrilled with her at Newbury – she was just ready to start off. She did everything nicely in the race. I made her come back and wait and go through the gears and she did it all well.

"She really stuck her neck out at Newbury but she wasn't fully wound up and Andrew [Balding, trainer] made everyone aware of that. We certainly felt she would improve for the race. I was happy with her performance and she got to the line well.

"She has come out of the race well and hasn't done any serious work since – it has all been routine work but she has passed every test so far."

Qipco 1,000 Guineas betting

bet365: 6-4 Santa Barbara, 9-2 Pretty Gorgeous, 6 Alcohol Free, 8 Sacred, 9 Saffron Beach, 14 Mother Earth, 16 Queen's Speech, Statement, 20 bar

Read more on the Guineas weekend:

2021 Qipco 2,000 Guineas: confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's big race

Hannon's track fears for Chindit and the horse he thinks is the biggest threat

Wembley made new favourite for the 2,000 Guineas

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