AND just like that, the classic trials have begun on the flat, and Wednesday was our first proper chance this year to weigh up the competition for the 1000 Guineas next month, writes Page Fuller.

Zanzoun was a tenacious winner of the Nell Gwyn Stakes but, judging by the reaction of both the trainer and the jockey after the race, it seems unlikely that she will be supplemented for the Guineas.

The horse that followed her home, however, does hold an entry and certainly caught the eye in a race that probably didn’t go her way.

Celestial Orbit was the slowest horse out of the stalls, taking 3.21 seconds to reach 20mph.

This meant that by the end of the first furlong, she was already 0.42 seconds behind Zanzoun.

Our par sectionals illustrate that they went pretty steadily through the second, third and fourth furlongs, favouring both horses nearer the pace, and those with a turn of foot.

Whilst Celestial Orbit had the speed, as illustrated by the fact that in the penultimate furlong she posted both the highest top speed of 38.95mph and furlong time, 11.61 seconds, of the race. She had given herself too much to do from her slow start and failed to close the gap.

The time index of 1.1 that the race time achieved suggests that, even though the ground was testing, it still wasn’t the highest quality renewal.

However, I think Celestial Orbit looks the pick of this race to keep an eye on for the minor honours at a price in the Guineas next month.