Vega and Secret let no one down, and it's Now Or Never in Guineas

Terrific runs by Blue De Vega and Pearl Secret highlighted a day of mixed fortunes for Qatar Racing runners yesterday.

Noble Protector, who races for Qatar Bloodstock, finished unplaced in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup and Ainippe and Queen Catrine were beaten in the Gr. 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh, but Blue De Vega's third place in Ireland's first Classic of the year, the Gr.1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, was a sterling performance.

It was the second year in succession that a Qatar Racing runner has been placed in the race, following Endless Dream's second spot in 2015. Ridden by Colin Keane for trainer Michael O'Callaghan, Blue De Vega was held up in the early stages of the one-mile race, moved into a challenging position before the furlong pole, and while unable to quicken up to the first two, Awtaad and Galileo Gold, came home clear of the fourth.

Twelve months ago Pearl Secret had the benefit of a run before winning Haydock's Gr.2 Temple Stakes. His bid to win back-to-back runnings yesterday was also his first start of the season, and it almost certainly cost him a place.

He finished fourth, beaten a head for the third spot, as victory went to Profitable from Clive Cox's stable. Oisin Murphy, who rode Pearl Secret for trainer David Barron, said: ‚"He got into a lovely rhythm, and picked up from half way, but just got tired inside the last half furlong. I couldn't be happier with him.‚"

European racing's focus today is the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas in which Qatar Racing's Now Or Never, a stablemate of Blue De Vega, joins a field of 14 fillies. Minding, who won the QIPCO 1000 Guineas last time out, will be very hard to beat if she reproduces her best form, but Now Or Never won a trial (pictured below) for today's race in good style and represents one of the biggest dangers to the favourite.

Photograph: Racing Post Photos