THE delayed Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Day at Newbury last Sunday saw both Alcohol Free (106) and Chindit (109) enhance their 1000 and 2000 Guineas claims respectively.

However, the winner that garnered the most attention was Snow Lantern (103+) who posted a smooth success in the opening maiden.

Richard Hannon’s flashy grey filly was professional from start to finish, exiting the stalls smoothly from her outside draw to swiftly take up a position behind the leaders.

As her counterparts started to come under pressure passing the three-furlong marker, rider Sean Levey was still holding on to plenty of horse.

Gradually asking his partner to extend from that point, the pair went on to prevail by a snug length and three-quarters from the well-bred and well-supported Derab (99+).

The closing sectional of 47.30 seconds was achieved with the minimum of effort, comparing most favourably with the classic trials later on the card.

Alcohol Free overcame plenty of adversity to land the Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes while at the same time giving the impression, she is not straightforward.

Through no fault of her own Andrew Balding’s filly found herself on the outside of the field, which almost certainly contributed to her hanging left when Oisin Murphy asked for a race-winning effort.

Once corrected, the daughter of No Nay Never lengthened into a lead of around a length before idling and almost letting runner-up Statement back in on the line.

The closing sectional (47.25 seconds) was just a shade quicker than Snow Lantern albeit achieved with a differing level of effort.

The extra furlong of the Guineas will not be an issue based on this performance but there would be a concern that the timing of any winning run would require perfection.

In winning the Group 3 Greenham Stakes, Chindit clocked a faster overall time and closing sectional (47.00 seconds) than both fillies already highlighted. The positive for Richard Hannon’s colt is that he will appreciate the extra furlong at Newmarket in a fortnight.

However, in needing all of the seven furlongs to overhaul the enterprisingly-ridden Mehmento (109), the son of Wootton Bassett will have to improve markedly to be competitive.