Charlie Appleby was far from despondent despite seeing DANCE SEQUENCE lose her unbeaten record in the G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes over 1400m.

Sent off as favourite for the 1000 Guineas trial, DANCE SEQUENCE had to settle for second as outsider PRETTY CRYSTAL got the better of a sustained duel, prevailing by a neck.

PRETTY CRYSTAL is not entered in the Classic and trainer Richard Fahey poured cold water on the idea of returning to Newmarket for the Guineas, saying: "She's not in the 1,000 Guineas and I don't think we'll be supplementing her, but I'll have to speak to the owner."

Appleby, in contrast, has his sights firmly set on the 1000 Guineas and was more than happy with the performance of DANCE SEQUENCE, a leading fancy for the Guineas prior to this defeat.

"That is what a trial is for," he said. "She has not been tuned up for today, that will be in two and a half weeks' time. Without winning I’m very happy with the run."

DANCE SEQUENCE showed signs of inexperience, wandering both left and right in The Dip, before staying on strongly on the rising ground, shaping as though the step up to a 1600m would be very much in her favour.

Appleby continued: “As we saw on her first two starts she was raw on both occasions. She just got through the line in time. I said to Will [Buick] on the way out that she has still got a bit of learning to do, and we saw the same again today. She will be all over the step up to a mile."

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