Azleet Secures 1000 Guineas Berth with Stunning 50-1 Newmarket Victory

Azleet has thrust herself into contention for the Betfred 1000 Guineas following a remarkable 50-1 win in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes. Trained by Stuart Williams, the three-year-old filly overcame significant odds to claim victory in this key trial for the first fillies' Classic of the year. Despite being settled at the rear of the 12-strong field by jockey Marco Ghiani, Azleet made a decisive move inside the last three furlongs and found her stride on the rising ground. In a thrilling finish, she edged out America Queen by a neck, with Act Of Kindness a length and a half further behind in third. Williams expressed his delight with the performance, stating, 'We'll go to the 1000 Guineas and roll the dice. It's going to be a special time for me to have a Group One runner in a race at Newmarket.' Azleet's success was all the more impressive given her previous struggles at Listed and Group-race level, but her connections believe she has the potential to excel in the Guineas. Meanwhile, America Queen is set to wait an extra week before heading to France for her shot at Classic glory at ParisLongchamp. The Richard Hughes-trained filly will target the French Guineas, where she will aim to build on her promising performance at Newmarket. Elsewhere, Damysus announced himself as a major player with a dominant comeback success in the Betway Earl of Sefton Stakes. Carrying a 3lb penalty, the John and Thady Gosden-trained colt was the 7-4 favorite and justified his odds with a commanding three and three-quarter length victory. Gosden suggested that Damysus is more likely to return to the highest level over a longer trip, potentially setting up a clash with esteemed stablemate Ombudsman at Royal Ascot in June. In other news, Morshdi emerged as a Derby contender with victory in the Betway Feilden Stakes. The William Haggas-trained three-year-old was a 14-1 shot but always traveled strongly and held off the market leader Poseidon's Warrior by a length. Haggas is eyeing a stop-off at Chester en-route to a possible appearance in the premier Classic at Epsom on June 6.