WHILE we have had some shock results in the various Guineas races so far in 2018, this was not the case at Düsseldorf last Sunday when the 23/10 favourite, the Mark Johnston-trained Nyaleti, ran out a very easy winner of the German 1000 Guineas.

She was the third successive British-trained winner of the race. She has strong Irish connections, having been bred in Ireland by SF Bloodstock, managed by the Kentucky-based Tom Ryan, and reared at Mount Eaton Stud in Wexford. She was bought by the trainer at Book One of Tattersalls October Sale for 40,000gns.

She was running here for the 12th time but had some smart form at two, including a five-length victory in Ascot’s Princess Margaret Stakes. On her debut she had won a Salisbury maiden from 1000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook.

She is clearly back to her best; the Falmouth Stakes and the Beverley D were mentioned as likely targets.

There is only a short run from the Düsseldorf mile start to the first bend, and as usual there was a mad rush for position, with several fillies hampered. However, Nyaleti who was clearly by the best horse on the day and whose winning margin of four and a quarter lengths reflects her superiority clearly enough. Joe Fanning rode her with great confidence and after she took the lead she was never going to be get beaten.

We are now into Baden-Baden’s spring meeting. This weekend wer have the Group 3 Silberne Peitsche, one of Germany´s top sprint races, and tomorow’s Group 2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft where Guignol and Iquitos make their seasonal reappearance. Of equal interest is the Group 3 Derby Trial tomorrow in which Royal Youmzain is expected to start at odds-on.