MUQBIL emerged as a solid candidate for the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas when making a victorious return to action for John Dunlop in the Lane's End Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The son of Swain received a mixed reception from the book-makers after his length-and-a-quarter defeat of Zafeen but the generally-available 14-1 about him for Newmarket looks fair.

Muqbil, who began his career with an impressive success in the Washington Singer Stakes at Newbury last year, was then unsuited by the run down into the Bushes at Newmarket's Rowley course and that remains a source of concern to his connections.

Commenting on the possibility of a Guineas bid, Dunlop said: "What pleased me today was the way that he quickened twice, which few horses can do, and it's very difficult to knock the form.

"The only thing bothering me is that I remember him failing to act coming down the hill on his second run at Newmarket. He was nicely settled, and travelled well today though, and we'll have to hope it doesn't happen again in the Guineas."

Zafeen ran with credit to uphold last year's Dewhurst form, although his trainer Mick Channon is unsure whether the Zafonic colt will get the Guineas mile off a strong pace.

It is in the melting pot whether he goes to Newmarket, though the temptation of a Classic may well sway Channon towards running him.

There was a landmark success for Barry Hills when Tante Rose plundered the group three Dubai Duty Free Stakes, to give the trainer his 2,500th winner.

Tante Rose, described by Hills as the most forward of his three-year-old fillies, came from almost last to first along the stands' rail to score by a length-and-a-quarter from Crystal Star.

Hills said: "It's a landmark I'm proud of though, hopefully, there are still a lot of good times to come. I'm sure Tante Rose will run in the Guineas now, providing she's okay, but Geminiani will have to start blooming before I give her the green light to run.

"She hasn't come in her coat yet and, while she's working well, I certainly won't push her."

Warrsan looks like a horse who can do well in the big cup races this year following his short-head defeat of Asian Heights in the Dubai Irish Village Stakes. Next port of call for Clive Brittain's five-year-old is the Yorkshire Cup at York next month.

One of the nicest horses seen at the meeting was Sir Michael Stoute's Kalaman who, despite getting tired, won the Dubai International Airport Maiden Stakes readily enough under Johnny Murtagh.

A huge gamble on Zonergen never looked like materialising in the Spring Cup, victory going to the Kevin Ryan-trained Mystic Man whose long-term aim is next year's Lincoln.