racing_news/

Barefoot Lady Steps Up to Take Nell Gwyn Stakes
13/04/11

1 Barefoot Lady 14/1
2 Sing Softly 9/4F
3 Maqaasid 4/1
11 ran Distances: nk, ¾l, 1¾l
TIME 1m 24.44s (slow by 1.24s)

Barefoot Lady (14-1) swooped fast and late to complete a fantastic big-race double for Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.

Barefoot Lady
© Racehorse Photos

The filly was following up Sir Reginald's big race win earlier on the card but appeared to have her work cut out in this Group Three affair as she still had it to do passing the furlong marker.

Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite Sing Softly appeared to have made a winning more when taking the lead in the closing stages under Ryan Moore, but she hung to her right and Barefoot Lady nailed her on the line to secure a neck success.

Fahey said: "She's only slight, but Paul said they don't come much tougher. I've got to have a proper chat with the owner about supplementing for the (1000) Guineas, but he is keen.

"There was a question mark today about the trip but on that display, she should stay a mile. I've had a runner in the Oaks before, but never in the Guineas. We're not used to this!"

Winning owner Normal Steel added: "The Guineas will be the trainer's decision, but if you asked us, we're keen."

John Gosden's Maqaasid was far from disgraced, finishing just three-quarters of a length further away in third.

The trainer said: "She was giving away 3lb to the rest of them so, on the weights, she's the best filly in the race. If the owners want to go for the Guineas, there's no reason not to."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Barefoot Lady R A Fahey	P Hanagan 8st 12lbs	14 - 1 Winner
2	Sing Softly A P O'Brien	R L Moore 8st 12lbs	9 - 4 Neck
3	Maqaasid J H M Gosden	R Hills 9st 1lbs	4 - 1 3/4 length
4	Show Rainbow M R Channon	N Callan 8st 12lbs	25 - 1 1 3/4 length
5	Ladies Are Forever G R Oldroyd	S De Sousa 8st 12lbs	5 - 1 1 length
6	Sweet Cecily R Hannon	R Hughes 8st 12lbs	16 - 1 1/2 length
7	Elshabakiya C E Brittain	P Robinson 8st 12lbs	6 - 1 1/2 length
8	Crying Lightening P W Chapple-Hyam	J Quinn 8st 12lbs	14 - 1 1 1/2 length
9	Lily Again P F I Cole	L Dettori 8st 12lbs	16 - 1 1 length
10	Qushchi W Jarvis	Jim Crowley 8st 12lbs	22 - 1 3/4 length
11	Strictly Pink A Bailey	Catherine Gannon 8st 12lbs	40 - 1 2 lengths