MAJESTIC Desert is as low as 11-2 for the 1,000 Guin-eas after a victory which wholly satisfied her trainer Mick Channon in the Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Kieren Fallon held up the filly in the early stages and, two furlongs out, it would have been a brave man to name the winner with the field huddled in a bunch.
But, when a gap appeared for the favourite, she went through it instantly before pulling away under hands and heels riding to score by a length from Nyramba, with Natalia the same distance further back.
The 10-1 offered by Ladbrokes straight after didn't last long and, in my book, Majestic Desert is the one they all have to beat at Newmarket a week next Sunday.
Channon enthused: "The way she was working at home, she's a very high-class filly, but it's always difficult to know if they are going to do it on the track.
"She's just a professional and she's got speed. This could be the one. Queen's Logic would have won the Guineas - I'm sure of that - and this filly reminds me a bit of her in a lot of ways.
"I imagine the owner would like Kieren to ride her at Newmarket, although Ted Durcan or Steve Drowne could ride her. She is very straightforward and can be ridden either from the front or from behind."
Fallon said: "She's got plenty of class and acceleration and what she showed here today was enough for me."
Barry Hills ended a 31-year wait to land the Dubai Irish Village Stakes (formerly the John Porter) when Dubai Success got the better of a battle royal with Gamut as the pair pulled clear of their field.
As the pair flashed past the line it looked as if Fallon and Gamut had got back up, but the photo showed Dubai Success the short head victor under Michael Hills.
"That was as good a renewal of the race as there has been for many years," said Barry Hills.
"We should have a bit of fun with him this year. He was a Godolphin reject this time last year but I wish they'd sent me a few more like him.
"He has been going well at home and I think we'll go for the Yorkshire Cup now - a mile and threequarters shouldn't be a problem."
Richard Hills, the other twin son of the trainer, was given a three-day ban from April 28 to April 30 for careless riding on Bandari after manoeuvering sharply left in order to get his mount to the lead at the start.
The Greenham Stakes almost brought about a Hills double, as nothing was traveling as well as Fokine two furlongs out.
However, David Elsworth's Salford City picked up with a vengeance in the final furlong to pull clear of his rival and he looks a serious 2,000 Guineas prospect.
This was a first run for the colt since he was bought privately by Michael Tabor.
El Coto took advantage of some scrimmaging to land the Spring Cup but those who took part in a massive gamble, which saw Alkaadhem backed down from 7-2 to 7-4, can feel aggrieved because the favourite was trapped behind a wall of horses and, when seeing daylight, had too much to do and no time in which to do it.
His trainer, Marcus Tregoning, received consolation when 20-1 outsider Mudawin landed the concluding mile maiden, with odds-on Akimbo a disappointing third.
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