French filly Natagora is all the rage for Guineas

At the start of a week of Classic trials, Pascal Bary's filly laid down a marker when not hard pressed by jockey Christophe Lemaire to beat Modern Look a length and a half and earn quotes ranging from 5-1 to 7-1 for the Guineas.

Scroll down to read more:

The ability to see out the mile on the Rowley Mile has been a big question for last season's Cheveley Park Stakes winner, who had been unraced beyond six furlongs.

But her performance in the seven-furlong contest that was used as stepping stone for Classic victory at Newmaket by Miesque, Ravinella and Hatoof, gave connections cause for optimism that she will cope with the extra 220 yards that she will face on Guineas day.

Patrick Barbe, racing manager to owner Stefan Friborg, said: "The going was softer than before and the distance further than she has run over, so it was a good sign in view of the 1,000 Guineas in three weeks. She won very easily, still on the bridle, and Christophe was also happy."

Following hard on the heels of Zarkava's impressive victory in the Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp on Sunday, the two performances suggest that the French could hold the upper hand in this division.

Where the leading British hopes stand will be clearer by the weekend.

Infallible, Nijoom Dubai, Shabiba and Spinning Lucy are all entries for Tomorrow's Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket, where Spacious will be reintroduced to the raceday experience, while Muthabara and Nahoodh are in the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Fast Company's performance was a positive of the Godolphin racecourse gallops that took place in Dubai.

The Dewhurst Stakes runner-up has been sluggish in his work on the all-weather over the winter but Simon Crisford, Godolphin racing manager, was more encouraged by his first effort back on grass.

Crisford said: "Fast Company was a definite positive. Up until now he had not been showing much but we have had lots of good horses who have not shown us much in the morning.

"He was ridden by Ted Durcan and went with Ibn Khaldun, who was ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. In a separate workout, Frankie (Dettori) rode Rio De La Plata with a couple of lead horses.

"I would say Ibn Khaldun, who is Frankie's likely mount, would definitely go to Newmarket and we'll choose between the other two."

2,000 GUINEAS: 9-4 New Approach, 5 Raven's Pass, 7 Ibn Khaldun, 10 Fast Company, Jupiter Pluvius, 14 Henrythenavigator, Twice Over.

1,000 GUINEAS: 5 Muthabara, 6 Spacious, 7 Natagora, 8 Sense Of Joy, 10 Cape Amber, 14 Kitty Matcham, Psalm, 16 Nahoodh.