Racing: Shuhrah tops 1,000 Guineas market

The Godolphin filly Shuhrah upset the well-touted Ashraakat to make a winning debut at Ascot yesterday. She was promoted to 16-1 favourite for next year's 1,000 Guineas by William Hill after securing a length and a half victory over the 4-6 favourite. Frankie Dettori led from the outset and, while Ashraakat fought for the room to challenge, the filly kept up the gallop to win going away.

"We heard that the runner-up was a seriously good filly and slightly lost confidence about our chance," said racing manager Simon Crisford. "She's been working for quite some time and a couple of niggling problems have kept her off the track till now. She has an engine and bags of potential."

John Dunlop was disappointed with the performance of Ashraakat, like the winner a daughter of Danzig. "I was very disappointed. She seemed to get a bit tired and didn't pick up or lengthen," he said.

Coral make Shuhrah their 16-1 joint-favourite with Cape Verdi. Ashraakat is 20-1.

Ten horses yesterday stood their ground at the five-day stage for Wednesday's Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Favourite is David Loder's Starborough, winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot when beating Air Express.

His stable yesterday confirmed the three-year-old an intended runner and he could renew rivalry with the Clive Brittain-trained runner-up. Other possible starters include Aidan O'Brien's Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Classic Park and the Michael Stoute-trained pair, Among Men and Faithful Son.

Godolphin could be represented by Allied Forces or Alhaarth, the latter the winner of the International Stakes at the Curragh on his latest start, while the sole northern representative is Mark Johnston's Gothenberg.

Sussex Stakes acceptors: Alhaarth, Ali-Royal, Allied Forces, Gothenberg, Air Express, Among Men, Faithful Son, Starborough, Wolf Mountain, Classic Park.

Ladbrokes bet: 6-4 Starborough, 5-1 Air Express, Among Men, 7-1 Alhaarth, Allied Forces, 8-1 Ali-Royal, 9-1 Faithful Son, 12-1 Classic Park, 20- 1 Gothenberg, 100-1 Wolf Mountain.