Charlie Appleby further strengthened his hand in the fillies’ Classic division as Soliloquy ran out an emphatic winner of the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket, writes Keith Hamer.

East Anglian Daily Times: Soliloquy ridden by Jockey William Buick (right) wins the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket. Picture: PA SPORTSoliloquy ridden by Jockey William Buick (right) wins the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket. Picture: PA SPORT (Image: PA Wire)

After seeing his Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Wild Illusion impress in a pre-racing gallop on the Rowley Mile, the trainer sent Soliloquy into battle in this recognised trial for the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

Making her first appearance since winning a minor race at Ascot in September, the 4-1 shot was smartly away under William Buick and made virtually every yard of the running on her way to a comfortable one-and-three-quarter-length victory.

Soliloquy was given introductory quotes of 14-1 and 12-1 for the 1000 Guineas by Paddy Power and RaceBets respectively, but would need to be supplemented and Appleby is keen on a tilt at the first fillies’ Classic of the season with general 10-1 shot Wild Illusion.

He said: “We were confident coming into the race. I was impressed with what Wild Illusion did here today and they’d been doing some nice work together.

“Soliloquy’s work recently has done nothing but impress us. In the last three weeks she’s blossomed and speed has come from where we haven’t seen speed before.

“She’s not in either the English or the French Guineas. We’d like to keep the two fillies apart and we’ll see where we are in the next couple of weeks.”

He added: “We would supplement Soliloquy for one or the other. This filly goes on a quicker surface whereas Wild Illusion broke her maiden on soft and won on soft in the Boussac as well.

“Wild Illusion’s priority is the English Guineas, but if it is quick ground we’d have to have a chat nearer the time. This filly then potentially may come into the reckoning for one or the other. Wild Illusion is in both, this filly isn’t.”

Roger Varian remains keen on a tilt at the Newmarket Guineas for the runner-up Altyn Orda. He said: “She was a bit rusty and will come on for the run, but she was strong on the line and I think she’s going to need a mile to be at her best.

“The plan would be to come back for a crack at the Guineas.”