William Muir eyes 1000 Guineas trials with Final Option

Final Option is likely to reappear in a 1000 Guineas trial next spring, after just missing out on black type at Ayr.

William Muir’s filly was a debut winner at Ripon before finishing fourth in the Dick Poole at Salisbury behind Richard Hannon’s Dark Lady.

Sent off well fancied for last weekend’s Firth of Clyde Stakes, she was beaten just over two lengths in fifth, but Muir feels she may have been over the top.

“(Jockey) Ben Curtis said three weeks ago she’d have won the race comfortably,” said the trainer.

“He felt she was travelling like the winner at the two-furlong pole.

“I personally felt she just got trapped behind horses and was looking for a run and got caught out. Ben said she’s a real class act but she may have just been over the top – it was always going to be her last run.”

On pedigree, Muir is confident Final Option will improve with maturity.

“The family are not two-year-olds,” he added. "She’s run with real credit – but she’s related to The Tin Man and Deacon Blues, (and) they just got better and better.

“I’ll try her over seven next year in something like the Nell Gwyn or Fred Darling if she’s ready. She’s high-class, there’s no question in my mind.

“I thought she was a certainty at Ripon, which was why I drove the box up there.”