Inspiral 16-1 joint-favourite for 1,000 Guineas after Listed success

“They’re a few steps ahead of me,” was John Gosden’s reaction to bookmakers shortening Inspiral into joint-favourite for next year’s Qipco 1,000 Guineas following her impressive victory for the joint-trainer in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Star Stakes.

There was certainly logic behind the decision to cut Inspiral to a general 16-1 market leader with Sandrine (from 33) for the Classic, after she dismissed her eight rivals under Frankie Dettori to take her record to two wins from two starts for owner-breeder Cheveley Park Stud.

And Gosden, who trains the juvenile alongside son Thady, was taken by the manner of the performance – the filly sweeping through from the rear of the field and overcoming greenness to win by three and a half lengths – but was merely eager to take a step-by-step approach.

“That’s the first time she’s been off the bridle in her life,” he said. “Frankie thought he was a long way back so thought he'd better make a move. But she made the ground up much too quickly and was in front a long way out – two [furlongs] from home here is a long way out.

“She was a bit green when she hit the front but I think she showed a lot of class. There is a nice fillies’ prize in her. We’ll look at the May Hill at Doncaster as there is a nice gap between the races.”

The Gosdens also saddled Sunstrike to finish third behind her stablemate and Godolphin’s Wild Beauty, like the winner by leading stallion Frankel, and John Gosden said: “I’m delighted with the filly who was third too as adding black type is valuable. The second filly had good, solid form as well.”

Murphy on a roll

Oisin Murphy urged a significant posse of owners to crowd in and ‘smile’ for the winning photo after Classic Lord prevailed by a neck in the 1m6f three-year-old handicap.

The 14 owners in attendance represented the Park House Partnership, a ten-horse syndicate at trainer Andrew Balding’s yard made up of mostly longstanding owners, were keen to share in the experience of a normal raceday after the Covid-19 restrictions of the last 18 months.

Classic Lord (left) gives Oisin Murphy the middle leg of a Sandown trebleCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Anna Lisa Balding, wife of the winning trainer, said: “It’s a two-year syndicate so it’s great that they are able to come and enjoy days like this after last year; Sandown have been brilliant too.

“With video, pictures and what have you it’s always possible to keep owners updated and in the loop with what’s going on, but you love to be able to share it with them on the racecourse.”

Classic Lord holds an entry in the Cazoo St Leger, and is set to test his Classic credentials in the Group 3 March Stakes at Goodwood next month.

Balding said: “He’s got a huge heart and keeps on improving – as Oisin Murphy said, he’s going to be a lot of fun. Andrew decides what the horses are doing, but he likes to aim big and he’s not done his chances of running in the St Leger any harm, so why not?”

After a four-timer at Ffos Las on Tuesday and a winner at this track on Wednesday evening, Murphy took his tally to eight winners in three days when completing a treble on the day on Zechariah in the 7f juvenile maiden and Arenas Del Tiempo, on whom the champion jockey made all in the 1m2f fillies’ handicap.

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