THESE days the Newbury classic trials tend to be overshadowed by Newmarket but Marcus Tregoning struck an early blow with Mohaather in the Group 3 Watership Down Stud Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs.

The 9/2 chance held Great Scot by three-parts of a length with Urban Icon third followed by market leader Hello Youmzain.

A son of Showcasing, Mohaather was sent for home by Jim Crowley before the furlong pole and ran on well, recording a time nearly five seconds slower than standard on easy ground. Also successful in the Horris Hill Stakes here last autumn, he would have won a shade more comfortably but for drifting towards the stands’ rails.

“I saw brilliance from him today for the first time,” Tregoning commented. “There will be a discussion about the Guineas. Personally I think he’d stay a mile on faster ground but it will be up to Sheikh Hamdan where he goes. Jim said he’d go on any ground but he’s got speed.”

Odds of 16/1 for the 2000 were the going rate following Mohaather’s victory. The race would have been far more informative with Too Darn Hot in the line-up, of course.

DANDHU BY A WHISKER

The fillies’ trial over the same distance, the old Fred Darling now known as the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, went to David Elsworth’s Dandhu.

In a desperate set-to close home, the Dandy Man chesnut came from the back to lead just inside the final furlong but was all out under Gerald Mosse to resist Iconic Choice by a short-head with Aidan O’Brien’s So Perfect, who was drawn wide, the same distance away in third.

“She worked a million dollars at Newmarket last week and I thought maybe we’re all right,” Elsworth commented. “I was worried about the ground there, though, which is why we didn’t go for the Nell Gwyn. Actually I wish the Guineas was run here rather than over the undulating mile there.”

Despite the trainer’s concerns, Betfair cut Dandhu to 10/1 from 16s for the Qipco 1000 Guineas. She has plenty of experience of Newmarket, having finished second in the Rockfel Stakes last term. Saturday’s race was run about two seconds slower than the colts’ trial 30 minutes later.

Overall the feeling was that O’Brien will have learned plenty from So Perfect’s close third with plenty more ammunition at home.

Tom Dascombe clearly has his horses well forward but had the galling experience of seeing both of his runners finish second. Iconic Choice needed one more stride and will stay the mile of the Guineas, as will Great Scot.

DOUBLE FOR MOSSE

Elsworth rates Mosse highly and the Frenchman’s extended stay is working out extremely well.

He was completing a double on Dandhu, having already produced Marmelo with split-second timing to land the opening Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (the John Porter as was) by a length from Aspetar.

Roger Charlton has recruited Jason Watson as stable jockey and the partnership has started well.

It looked as if a 20/1 winner was coming their way when Aspetar led before the furlong marker and went for home but Mosse brought Marmelo through to challenge and kept on to score by a length.

“As long as the handicapper doesn’t overdo it, why not go back for the Melbourne Cup?” said winning trainer Hughie Morrison.

“He’ll stick to a mile and a half in Europe and putting him in the Coronation Cup doesn’t look so stupid now. I wouldn’t want to run him there on fast ground but everyone’s ambition is to win a Group 1.”