Softly set for Nell Gwyn Sing Softly bids to further enhance her Classic claims in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday. Aidan O'Brien's filly is one of 11 declarations for the Group 3 contest, which is a long standing 1,000 Guineas trial. The daughter of Hennessy has already been in action twice this season, winning a Curragh maiden before impressing in Listed company at the same venue. John Gosden's Queen Mary winner Maqaasid has to concede weight to her 10 rivals. The Green Desert filly was behind Hooray on her next two starts after her Royal Ascot win in the Lowther Stakes at York and the Cheveley Park Stakes at Headquarters. Just half a length adrift of Maqaasid at Ascot was Geoff Oldroyd's Ladies Are Forever, who subsequently came out and won Redcar's Listed Two-Year-Old Trophy, and she reopposes. Peter Chapple-Hyam's Crying Lightening will have race fitness on her side having won at the Dubai Carnival. Richard Fahey's Barefoot Lady, Richard Hannon's Sweet Cecily and Paul Cole's Lily Again are other interesting contenders among the 11 runners.
