Newmarket preview: QIPCO 1000 Guineas (15.40)

Fadhayyil had progressive form as a juvenile and can provide trainer Barry Hills with a classic winner in his final season before retirement by landing the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket today (15.40).

Hills, 78, knows what is required to win the race having saddled Enstone Spark to victory in 1978 and Ghanaati in 2009.

In Fadhayyil, the Lambourn handler has a filly full of quality who posted some smart efforts last season despite looking far from the finished article.

After opening her account at the second time of asking when staying on strongly to score by 1 1/2 lengths at Salisbury, Fadhayyil ran a stormer when stepped up into Group 2 company and runner-up to Lucida in the 7f Rockfel Stakes at this venue.

The daughter of Tamayuz showed plenty of pace to race up with the pace and, after being produced to lead inside the final furlong, showed distinct signs of greenness when headed before rallying strongly to go down by just a length.

It was a performance full of promise against a far more streetwise opponent, and one which suggested Fadhayyil would make up into a top class three-year-old once strengthening up and maturing.

The step up to a mile looks sure to suit, and reports are that Fadhayyil has done terrifically well over the winter.

The aforementioned Lucida, who is trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, heads the betting and is a big player on the pick of her form.

However, the daughter of Shamardal had some tough races as a juvenile and disappointed when last seen in action and only fifth in the Group 1 Dubai Fillies’ Mile at Ascot.

I am not convinced that Lucida has the same scope as the likes of Fadhayyil, and for that reason keen to oppose.