Yarmouth winner Alqubbah under Muhammed.
Alqubbah became the first winner of the 2015 season at Yarmouth when breaking her maiden tag at the third attempt on the final Sunday of the month.
Following extensive remodelling work to correct the development of ridges which had developed in the straight, Yarmouth had not opened its doors since the autumn. However, the track was in excellent condition for the first fixture back, despite the recent spate of wet weather, and Alqubbah fended off the late thrust of newcomer Fourth Way in the six-furlong heat for juvenile fillies.
The victory was not unexpected, with punters sending Alqubbah off the 8-11 favourite, and she rightly occupied the head of the market following two promising runs, firstly when finishing sixth to Lumiere on debut at Newmarket which was followed by a slightly unfortunate third in hot company at Newbury last time out.
This, too, was probably a fair race as solid yardstick Aberlady was well held in fourth and the front two pulled nicely clear in the closing stages. Alqubbah travelled strongly in the hands of Paul Hanagan and was able to quicken up on testing ground, traits which bode well for her future both in the autumn and next year.
We will wait for the judgement of the handicapper before making a plan, but this filly won’t be over faced for the rest of the campaign as she has the potential to develop into an even better three-year-old.
Congratulations to Sheikh Hamdan and all of the team at Shadwell, while this was an important victory for her dam, the May Hill-placed Musharakaat, with Alqubbah being her first foal.