FAVOURITES have won the last three runnings of the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, but only four fillies have ever completed the Newmarket/Curragh classic double, so there’s a different statistic to support your argument, whether you’re for or against True Love on Sunday.

We can’t know whether it’s True Love’s win or Precise’s below-par performance three weeks ago that convinced Ryan Moore to switch to the former, but his decision also doesn’t rule out the possibility of Precise turning the tables – after all, it was her first start of the season, whereas True Love had the benefit of a (winning) run.

All this adds to the intrigue of Sunday’s centrepiece at the Curragh and thankfully, Aidan O’Brien’s decision to declare both hasn’t scared off competition, with a total 12 declared, including four British raiders worth considering.

Charlie Appleby seeks to win the race for the first time with his lightly-raced Newmarket fifth Abashiri.

Richard Hughes won the British 1000 Guineas aboard Sky Lantern and aims to win his first Irish classic, now as a trainer, with Nell Gwynn Stakes runner-up America Queen.

On the Jaber Abdullah-owned grey, Hughes commented: “I’ve been really pleased with her preparation, and she should really enjoy the nice ground.”

New trip

America Queen will be stepping up to a mile for the first time, which is something of a concern, given that both her dam and sire were sprinters. It seems less of a concern for Jack Channon’s Havana Grey filly Sukanya, as the Fred Darling Stakes heroine is a full-sister to a 10-furlong winner, and their dam won over a mile and a half.

Jack Channon is in his fourth year of training since taking over from father Mick, who won the 2012 Irish 1000 Guineas with Samitar.

On his class hope, who will be ridden by Tom Marquand, the young trainer said: “We’re really happy with her and she’s trained lovely since Newbury.

“The Curragh has always been the plan, so we’ve prepared her for this race since then. It looks like the ground should come right for her by Sunday and she’s in really great nick.

“There will be quite a few of the syndicate members from Opulence Thoroughbreds going over, so it should be a big day for the whole team. We’re going there with a live chance, which is always lovely.”

Karl Burke completes the British party with Hope Queen, who is making her first start since winning a listed contest last July. Clifford Lee will travel over to ride the unbeaten Night Of Thunder filly.