Crisford team keen on Arabian Dusk’s Nell Gwyn chance

Ed Crisford expects Arabian Dusk to be “bang there in the mix, if not winning” when she makes her seasonal debut in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.

The Havana Grey filly arguably sets the standard on juvenile form, having claimed Group Two honours in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes on the July Course last summer before rounding off her campaign with a third-place finish behind Lake Victoria in the Cheveley Park Stakes in September.

She will step up to seven furlongs for the first time in Tuesday’s 1000 Guineas trial, but connections have no concerns about a lack of stamina.

Crisford, who trains Arabian Dusk in partnership with his father Simon, said: “She’s done very well over the winter, we’re extremely happy with her. She was winning Group Twos and being placed in Cheveley Parks last year, so she brings very good form into the race.

“At this time of year, you never quite know with fillies that have only had one run and are coming through the ranks, but if she turns up as she left off last season, she should be bang there in the mix, if not winning.

“Last year, you could have stepped her up in trip, to be honest. It looks like seven furlongs should be well within her reach.

“She’s shown all the right signs from two to three and I think we’ll learn a lot in terms of where we are with trip and everything – this is what these trials are there for.”

Charlie Appleby trains the red-hot favourite for the Betfred 1000 Guineas in the unbeaten Desert Flower and bids to strengthen his Classic hand with Verse Of Love, who makes her first appearance since bolting up by five lengths on her course and distance debut in the autumn.

Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “Verse Of Love was impressive over this course and trip at the end of last season. I’m not sure there was great strength in depth to that race, but you couldn’t have been happier with the manner in which she won.

“We had intended to run her out in Dubai but she met with a minor setback, so we missed that engagement. She has done well since and we know that she handles Newmarket.

“It’s a trial, and we will know a lot more about her future afterwards, but we are very pleased with what we have seen so far at home.”

The William Haggas-trained Nardra is another filly who has her sights raised following a facile introductory win at Haydock, while Celestial Orbit won her final two juvenile starts including a decisive Listed success in Sandown’s Star Stakes in July.

John and Thady Gosden’s Zanzoun has a lot to find on official figures, but the daughter of Dubawi confirmed the promise of two placed efforts with a runaway victory on the all-weather at Southwell in November and optimism is high ahead of her return.

Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: “She’s on course and I think John and Thady both said after she won that they’d start her off in the Nell Gwyn this year.

“She’s a nice filly. I think a few things maybe didn’t go her way in a couple of races last year, but she won well on her third run and she’s a filly we like.

“We’re looking forward to seeing her run in a trial and seeing if she’s up to that standard.”