4:10 TATTERSALLS IRISH 1000 GUINEAS (Group 1) 1M
Alghabrah: Came on the radar when chasing home well-regarded Contingent on her debut in Leopardstown maiden last season. Off the mark in workmanlike style on first start as three-year-old at Dundalk but then produced much better when third to Who’s Steph in the 1000 Guineas Trial back at Leopardstown. More needed but this half-sister to her trainer’s 2000 Guineas winner Awtaad has plenty of scope to improve on just her fourth start.
Alpha Centauri: Huge filly who won her first two starts at Naas last season in impressive style. Found Different League just too good in the Albany and then comfortably held when racing on heavy ground in the Moyglare, fifth of eight, behind Happily. Suggestion from trainer (see A12-13) is that she needs fast ground, and so that run and seasonal appearance, behind Who’s Steph, can be partly excused.
Chiara Luna: Well-bred filly caught many people’s eye when staying on through traffic to get to within two lengths of Who’s Steph on seasonal debut in 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown. Bundles of scope to improve now and likely to get her presumed preferable fast ground. War Front filly out of same trainer’s Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway could be better over further but still a live chance tomorrow.
Clemmie: Churchill’s sister improved through the course of last season to top the ranks of juvenile fillies, courtesy of an impressive win in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Small setback ruled her out of Newmarket and though she deserves serious respect here, her trainer is not expecting a lot from her first time out, and has said saying he’d be happy if she finished in the first five.
Could It Be Love: 0-3 in maidens last season but off the mark in emphatic style at Dundalk in April; six-length winner from subsequent winner Terzetto. Ran with credit in Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) but ultimately comfortably held and this looks like a tougher heat.
Happily: From the all-star Galileo-You’resothrilling family and bidding to follow in hoofrpints of brother Gleneagles who won 2000 Guineas here in 2016 and sister Marvellous who won this in 2014. Got the better of stablemates Magical and September to win Group 1 Moyglare and then took her form to another level when beating the boys in Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly. Third to Billesdon Brook at Newmarket sets the standard on three-year-old form and likely to fare better back at the Curragh and with race fitness banked.
Lightening Quick: Frankel filly out of Group 1 winner Lightening Pearl created a fair impression when debut winner on Irish Champions Weekend; beat the very useful Bye Bye Baby, the pair pulling clear. Failed to handle step up in class when when eighth in Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket but battled well to win Group 3 Athasi Stakes on seasonal debut. Changed stables since – Ger Lyons to Johnny Murtagh – which may not be ideal preparation, but well worth her place.
Most Gifted: Promising debut third to Wisdom Mind earlier this month. Banked that experience to make all in seven-furlong maiden at Cork yesterday week. Has a lot of improving to do to get competitive in this.
Scriobh Nua: New Approach filly and half sister to Newmarket 1000 Guineas third Gile Na Greine. Only made her debut at Naas last Sunday, third to Broadway over a mile, and so this is a huge ask on only her second run.
Soliloquy: Impressive when making all in the Nell Gwyn but then raced keenly when held up in Newmarket 1000 Guineas, which may have proved costly; finished sixth. Just over a length to find with Happily and has the scope to improve, especially if she settles better.
Uluru Park: Well held in two maidens last season and now making seasonal debut. Looks out of her depth for now.
Yulong Gold Fairy: Won twice last season including impressive six-length win in final of Foran Equine Series at Naas. Lots of promise in her first start of the season when chasing home Who’s Steph in 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown but then disappointing behind Lightening Quick; fifth of six when sent off warm favourite. Has it to prove now.
Conclusion
Happily is undoubtedly the one to beat, however at 6/4 at the time of writing, she might be worth taking on. It may pay to follow the form of the second of two trials for this race run at Leopardstown. Who’s Steph won on the day and Chiara Luna caught the eye but the filly that split those two, Alghabrah, ran with a lot of promise. Both Who’s Steph and Chiara Luna are 10/1 while Kevin Prendergast’s filly is 33/1, which just doesn’t add up.