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Faydhan flops at Newmarket as Home Of The Brave claims European Free Handicap

Home Of The Brave is now unbeaten in two races at Newmarket
Home Of The Brave is now unbeaten in two races at Newmarket

Leading Qipco 2000 Guineas contender Faydhan was ruled out of the race after delivering a dismal display behind 9-2 shot Home Of The Brave on his seasonal reappearance in the CSP European Free Handicap at Newmarket.

Slowly away under Paul Hanagan on his second career start, the 4-9 favourite was last in the early stages, while James Doyle bounced out on Hugo Palmer's Home Of The Brave.

As Hanagan brought his mount out to challenge the response was limited, as up front Palmer’s representative bounded up the hill after coming out of the Dip.

Home Of The Brave had a length and three-quarters in hand of Richard Hannon's Tupi, with Faydhan making a little progress late on into third.

Palmer said: "We'll have to sit down and have a long think (about the Guineas) and watch what happens tomorrow and Saturday (Craven and Greenham). He might be the perfect type for the Jersey.

"He was a bit gassy, as he always is in a race, and we might have to get some skin-tight silks as noises are not his best friend - he is a very sensitive horse."

Gosden was quick to rule Faydhan out of the Newmarket Classic: "It was not unexpected as he has only won a maiden and is a slow learner.

"He ran on steadily at the finish, but I have ruled him out of the Guineas.

"I see him as more of a Royal Ascot type, with either the Jersey or St James's Palace as the race to go for."

Richard Hannon's Osaila staked her claim for next month's Qipco 1000 Guineas after getting the better of New Providence in a tight finish to the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.

Despite being drawn out wide, the 4-1 shot travelled well into the Group Three seven-furlong contest to smoothly move into contention two furlongs out and join leader New Providence, who was bidding to give trainer Hugo Palmer a treble on the day.

Hitting the front inside the furlong marker, the Al Shaqab Racing-owned filly was forced to pull out all the stops to deny the battling New Providence by a short head, giving Hannon his maiden turf winner of the season and Dettori the first leg of a double.

Hannon said: "We always believed she was a beautiful filly and I was amazed at her price today, as her form is impeccable.

"She is not there in her coat yet and there is 3 to 5lbs to come from that.

"Sky Lantern got beat in this race two years ago and went on to win the Guineas and this filly is hopefully as good, as there is not a lot of difference between them. She will improve a lot for that and will have a great chance on Guineas day.

"Today she was drawn quite poorly and things were quite difficult for her. Hopefully that will be different in the Guineas."

Golden Horn completed Dettori's double when maintaining his unbeaten status with a taking victory in the Feilden Stakes, in the process providing John Gosden with a welcome winner.

Having seen both Faydhan and Lady Correspondent both beaten in their respective Guineas trials, the Newmarket handler gained a change of fortune in the nine-furlong event.

Although only boasting a maiden success at Nottingham to his name, the 2-1 favourite claimed Listed honours in the manner of horse with plenty to come, beating the running-on Peacock by a comfortable length and a quarter.

Dettori said: "We think a lot of this horse and he won like a good horse, although he is still a bit green. I have suggested to John to go for the Dante, but there is also the French Derby. He has got it all to play for."

Gifted Master (4-1) created a favourable impression when initiating a double for Palmers in making a winning debut in the EBF Stallions NGK Spark Plugs Conditions Stakes.

Although slow away and keen early on, the Kodiac colt went about his job in the manner of smart horse when called on for an effort by Freddie Tylicki, coming with a late burst to take the five-furlong contest by four lengths.

Palmer said: "All options are open for him, there is a valuable conditions race at Newbury on Lockinge day and that could time in quite nicely. Then we might look at the National Stakes as well.

"He was very babyish today and will be better over six, and by the end of the year will be better over seven furlongs.

"He is very full of himself and we have to keep working him to keep a lid on him. As long as he is busy, he is straightforward. He is an exciting horse going forward."

Mick Channon hinted he could target Bossy Guest (5-1) at the 2000 Guineas after making his seasonal comeback a winning one in the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Sprint over six furlongs.

Channon said: "If you have a look at the start he got a bit squeezed out. Charles (Bishop) said that they went very fast from the start and were going flat out after a furlong, which suited us.

"The form was in the book for all to see and he was a good horse last year and I am pleased he has gone on.

"He is in the Guineas and I certainly wouldn't be frightened of having a go. He is so laid back you could drop him in there and he would finish well."

Global Force showed the benefit of experience after getting off the mark in the Julian Wilson Memorial EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes.

The 8-1 shot made every yard a winning one in the mile-and-a-quarter contest to bring about Doyle's double.

In the opening Alex Scott Maiden Stakes, Brian Meehan's Carnival King sprung a surprise in making it third time lucky when scoring at 25-1, holding the luckless Harkam at bay by a length.

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