Nap of the Day: Gosden’s Queen to rule at Newbury

There's a good card at Ayr, which hosts the Scottish Grand National on Saturday, on Friday but I've been drawn to Newbury's flat offering as a superbly-bred filly with huge potential bids to begin her career proper.

As far as profiles go, it doesn't get much better than QUEEN OF THIEVES.

The Frankel filly is a full-sister to Cracksman and also trained by John Gosden - alongside son Thady - in those famous Oppenheimer silks. Bred in the deepest shade of purple, it's fair to say, and connected to the right people.

Given that, I'm surprised she was sent off as big as 10/3 on her debut in a mile-long fillies' maiden at Doncaster back in October last year.

Perhaps that was a telling sign about her readiness, as she could only manage fifth, beaten over six lengths by Janey Mackers who had the benefit of a run. That rival has entries for the Betfred 1000 Guineas, Betfred Oaks and Irish Oaks this term, which is indicative of the regard in which she's held by trainer David Menuisier.

The selection was noticeably green throughout the contest and wasn't knocked about when it became clear she wasn't catching the eventual winner. If nothing else it was a good education on what proved her only start as a juvenile.

On Friday, she returns to the track as a three-year-old in another fillies' maiden, this time over 1m2f at Newbury.

With last year's experience under her belt and considering how good her brother was over this distance and at this age, you'd be hopeful of substantial improvement.

Queen Of Thieves' form rival is Peter Chapple-Hyam's Lady Ridgewood, who performed respectably in defeat in a couple of Class 5 events at Yarmouth and Kempton in the autumn. There wasn't much, if any improvement between those runs, however, and I doubt she has anywhere near as much scope as the selection.

Similar comments apply to Andrew Balding's Star Of Dubai, who performed modestly on her debut - while Cynthia, the other runner with form in the book, showed little promise at 150/1 on her first day at school.

Newcomers Lady Randolph, Llangynin Lass and Rock Music all appeal to an extent, but it's Balding's Serenity Prayer - a daughter of Dubawi out of Group 3-winning Galileo mare Peach Tree - who commands the most respect under Oisin Murphy.

A market check is advised on her, but if Queen Of Thieves has progressed as much as I hope during the winter and spring, she ought to prove hard to beat.

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