Connections convinced 1000 Guineas trip will suit Mubasimah

Beaten Nell Gwyn favourite Mubasimah could still contest the Betfred 1000 Guineas on Sunday week, with connections confident a move up to a mile will suit.

Andrew Balding’s daughter of Frankel has banked plenty of track experience at Newmarket, winning on debut on the Rowley Mile last September before finding Owen Burrows’ Calendar Girl only a neck too good in the Oh So Sharp Stakes.

She was backed into 4-1 favouritism in her seasonal return back at Flat racing HQ, but her team always believed she would benefit for the outing in the Nell Gwyn and are not deterred by her finishing position of sixth, beaten the best part of four lengths by surprise winner Azleet.

“She hadn’t quite come in her coat and Andrew did say beforehand he didn’t think she was quite there yet, but had been running nicely enough to justify a run,” said Philip Robinson, racing manager for owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum.

“I think he felt she will benefit for the run and she just didn’t finish at Newmarket. A couple of weeks of sun on her back and she will be a different filly and she remains a nice filly.

“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she turns up in the 1000 Guineas and Andrew is quite confident she will be a different proposition on the day and is sure a mile will suit.

“She has plenty of course experience and considering she wasn’t quite where Andrew wanted her, she didn’t run badly. We knew she might need it, but we wanted to run her rather than keep galloping and let the race bring her on. We’ve come away thinking she will be much better stepping up to a mile.”