Dance Sequence bids to enhance her 1000 Guineas credentials in the Group 3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday.
The Godolphin filly – by Dubawi out of Listed winner Tearless – was unbeaten in two juvenile starts including a C&D success at this level in the Oh So Sharp last October.
She will be looking to become the latest scorer for trainer Charlie Appleby, whose yard is in hot form with a 46 per cent strike rate ahead of this week’s three-day Craven Meeting at Newmarket.
Matrika – trained by Aidan O’Brien – is likely to be Dance Sequence’s principal rival and she has more experience on track after landing gold in the Group 2 Airlie Stud at the Curragh last time out.
Queen Of Zafeen and True Cyan are the only other horses in the 11-runner field for Wednesday’s 15:35 that hold entries for the 1000 Guineas.
The latest Nell Gwyn Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Nell Gwyn Stakes verdict
Timeform: DANCE SEQUENCE has the scope to make a smart 3-y-o and is already proven at this level/track having won the Oh So Sharp Stakes over C&D in the autumn, so she can cement her placing as one of the favourites for the 1000 Guineas. Matrika picked up a weak Group 2 at the Curragh when last seen in July but she escapes a penalty here and the form of her second in the Albany the previous week makes her a clear next best. Queen of Zafeen has the advantage of race fitness so may sneak a place.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Nell Gwyn Stakes runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Nell Gwyn Stakes 2024.
Born To Rock
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam Jockey: Laura Pearson Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Soldier’s Call filly who made a winning start in 12-runner maiden at Yarmouth (5.2f) in May. That form is ordinary, however, and she struggled in a listed race at Sandown on her only other start in July.
*
Dance Sequence
Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8
Bred to be smart and overcame both inexperience and a pace bias when landing 6-runner maiden on the July Course (7f). Overcame the big rise in class when making it 2 from 2 in the Oh So Sharp Stakes over C&D in October and the one to beat.
*****
Gushing Gold
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: David Probert Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11
Marked step forward when winning 20-runner York nursery (7f) in August. Backed that up when second in listed Flying Scotsman at Doncaster (7f) but finished 9¾ lengths last of 7 to Dance Sequence in Oh So Sharp Stakes at this C&D final start.
**
Heritage House
Trainer: James Fanshawe Jockey: Callum Shepherd Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
Nursery winner who did well to hit the frame at huge odds in listed race here (6f) final start but firmly up against it on return.
*
Kathmandu
Trainer: Brian Meehan Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Confirmed debut promise to win Southwell maiden in November. However, that form looks ordinary so faces an uphill task at this level.
*
Lexington Belle
Trainer: Alice Haynes Jockey: Kieran O’Neill Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Won 3 nurseries last season but limitations exposed in listed events last 2 starts.
*
Matrika
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Curragh debut winner before excellent length second of 17 to Porta Fortuna in Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm). Landed the odds following week in Group 2 at the Curragh following week. Off since but open to further improvement and extra 1f shouldn’t be a problem.
****
Pretty Crystal
Trainer: Richard Fahey Jockey: Oisin James Orr Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Highly tried after making a winning debut but acquitted herself well without winning. Others have more potential, though.
**
Queen Of Zafeen
Trainer: Richard Hughes Jockey: Finley Marsh Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9
Off the mark first time up at Southwell in January and followed up in impressive fashion at Lingfield. Improved again when headed only late on in listed race there last month and has race-fit advantage over all her rivals here. Turf debut.
***
Spiritual
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 10
€280,000 Invincible Spirit filly who made an ideal start when scoring at Leicester in September, well on top at finish. Given a surprisingly attacking ride on just her second start when fourth in the Rockfel over C&D later that month, greenness still very much in evidence. Remains with potential.
***
True Cyan
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
£150,000 2-y-o, No Nay Never filly. Dam winner up to 1m (2-y-o 6f winner), multiple Group 3 winner in Britain/Ireland. Beat a pair of subsequent winners when making a winning debut in 17-runner maiden over C&D in September. Up in class but sure to improve.
***
Today’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Cheltenham and Newmarket on Wednesday
- Timeform’s Newmarket tips for Wednesday including a 9/2 pick
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for Newmarket on Wednesday
Read These Next
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the 2000 Guineas 2024? Newmarket date, start time, runners and betting
- When is the 1000 Guineas 2024? Newmarket date, start time, runners and betting
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
