THE British flat season has been rather stop-start to date, but that changed at Newmarket when the action went up through the gears at headquarters with the Craven meeting signalling the start of Guineas trials’ week.

The stalls were situated on the stands’ side for the opening day on Tuesday week and there was undoubtedly an advantage in racing towards the near rail, while it also paid to be in close proximity to the speed.

The stalls position switched to the far rail on Wednesday and Thursday when track position became less of an influence.

The Feilden Stakes was the marquee race on Tuesday, but the plaudits for performance of the day went to Mutasaabeq (104+) who was a runaway winner of the EBF Conditions Stakes.

Having made a winning debut at the backend of last season, finishing off powerfully following a patient ride, the son of Invincible Spirit displayed his versatility in making every yard of the running here.

Although he arguably benefited from the favoured rail, his superiority over the field was evident as early as halfway with rider Jim Crowley sitting motionless. The closing sectional of 34.23 seconds included dipping under 11 seconds running to the furlong pole when Crowley asked him to seal the race.

Options

Trainer Charlie Hills was keen to stress there are plenty of options throughout the summer if the decision is to sidestep the Qipco 2000 Guineas and the expectations are the colt will continue to improve with racing. Royal Ascot was mentioned as an alternative where the Jersey Stakes, over the same trip, would seem as likely a target as any.

Highland Avenue (113) made a successful transition to turf, winning the Listed Feilden Stakes and, in doing so, comparatively clocked a slightly better overall time than Mutasaabeq without matching his closing sectionals.

The early pace was strong as New Treasure raced too freely for his own good, but in the process ensured the race was the truest test of the day.

Highland Avenue was never too far away from the pace travelling comfortably and jockey James Doyle asked his mount to pick up the leaders passing the two-furlong pole which he did with comparative ease before drifting to the rail and staying on well to the line.

Stable companion Secret Protector (112) made it a one-two for Charlie Appleby, coming from off the pace in the hands of William Buick and appearing to need every yard of the nine furlongs, leaving the impression a further step up in trip will elicit further improvement.

Later on the card, Arecibo (95+) became the latest beneficiary of Robert Cowell’s Midas touch with sprinters, ending a winless run that stretched back to July 2019.

Stall four may have been a disadvantage given the run of previous races, but champion jockey Oisin Murphy smartly moved to the rail to track the leaders on leaving the stalls. After racing with plenty of enthusiasm, a rapid closing sectional of 33.56 seconds saw the six-year-old run out an extremely easy winner.

If his new trainer has found the key to him and he repeats this performance (not a given admittedly) then the son of Invincible Spirit will warrant consideration in the big five-furlong handicaps through the summer.

The performance of Equitation (89) can also be upgraded as he closed off faster than the winner without ever looking likely to get involved, the seven-year-old could be one to consider for a six-furlong handicap in the coming weeks, possibly at Ascot where he has gone well in the past.