Group 1 winner Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) will return in the G3 Fred Darling S. at Newbury on Apr. 17 prior to taking her chance in the G1 English 1000 Guineas on May 2. A winner of the G1 Cheveley Park S. last term, the Andrew Balding trainee has wintered well, but is still in her winter coat.
“I'm delighted with her–the only problem is she's still wearing her winter collection at the moment,” Balding told Sky Sports Racing. “I'm just hoping the coat starts to shift–which it should do, with the weather we've got forecast over the next week.
“I'd hope to see a change in that, but she's been showing all her usual ability in her work. She's done two fast pieces of work, and I'm really pleased where we're at in terms of her fitness levels and well-being–apart from the coat being a bit woolly.”
“The plan was to run in the Fred Darling as a prep for the Guineas. I think it's important with her to hopefully have a run before going a mile–but if she's not ready in time we'll go straight to Newmarket.
“That has always been the plan, and she relaxes so well–certainly at home. It gives her a chance of getting a mile, but if we can get a race in as a prep to make sure she does settle that would be to her advantage.”
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