Sandiva out for Classic glory

Frankie Dettori can look towards the Guineas weekend with a positive feeling about at least one Classic ride after the courageous performance of Sandiva in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.

Starting his first full season as the retained jockey of Sheikh Joaan’s Al Shaqab Racing, Dettori has many fine horses to choose between on both sides of the Channel and even treated Rowley Mile visitors to a flying dismount with the broken ankle from last October firmly healed.

Richard Fahey had already prepared Sandiva to win a Group Three in France as a two-year-old, and while bookmakers were not falling over themselves to cut her in 1000 Guineas market, she closed strongly to finish half a length up on Euro Charline and Majeyda when plenty went against her.