Wings flying high ahead of Guineas

Mick Channon paid a huge compliment to his Stan James 1000 Guineas hope Flashy Wings when he compared her to his previous champions Bint Allayl and Queen’s Logic at his press morning at West Ilsley.

The daughter of Zafonic will cross swords with former stable companion Silca’s Sister at Newmarket on May 7 but Channon reiterated his view that if forced to choose between the pair when they were housed in his yard last season, he would have sided with Flashy Wings.

“Bint Allayl was a monster of a filly and Queen’s Logic was very special and was unbeaten. Silca’s Sister (now with Godolphin) was always in the same class as Flashy but a bit lazier than her,” he said.

“I never worked Flashy and Silca’s together because my view is that it’s important to win the races on the track and not on the home gallops.

“If I had to say it then I would suggest Flashy Wings and Queen’s Logic would be very hard to split.”

Flashy Wings was partnered by Eddie Creighton as she breezed up the all-weather on the winter ground among a batch of around 30 horses which also included Derby possible Championship Point, French 2000 Guineas hope Yasoodd and Silver Touch who, following her impressive debut success at Newbury yesterday, will now take in the French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp on May 14.

Channon stresse it had always been the plan to run Flashy Wings at Newmarket and take Silver Touch to France.

“Flashy Wings has had a very good preparation and her work has been unbelievable since I upped the tempo with her a couple of weeks ago,” he explained.

“When I took her to the summer ground yesterday she worked like a dream. It looks as if both Flashy and Silca’s Sister will turn out for the Guineas when my judgement will be put on the line but before then Jamie Spencer will come down here and ride her in some work.

“She’s definitely got stronger both physically and mentally and she’s more relaxed. The only thing I wouldn’t want is soft ground at Newmarket but that seems unlikely.”

The giant Silver Touch would not be out of place among the runners for a Cheltenham Gold Cup and her pedigree suggests she will appreciate cut in the ground.

Channon added: “I bought her at Deauville with her owner Jaber Abdullah and I think she’s pretty special.

“She wouldn’t be out of place in Nicky Henderson’s yard. She has a head like a dustbin and with a filly as unusual as her she was always either going to be decent or as slow as a coach.

“It was always our intention to take her to France and that is still very much the plan.”

Channon has given Yasoodd the green light to tackle the French 2000 Guineas and of this colt he said: “The French nicked a Group race off him last year and I hope he might nick one back from them in their Classic.

“I was delighted with his win at Leopardstown which shows he is going the right way.”