3.45 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas (Group 1) 1m:

A Lilac Rolla: Unbeaten in three starts, including a win over Opera Singer on her final start at two and a gritty success on heavy ground in the Group 3 Priory Belle Stakes at Leopardstown on her reappearance. Stepping up to a mile for the first time but gives the impression she’ll stay. Billy Lee siding with Purple Lily suggests she’s not stable’s top chance.

Alpheratz: Runner-up in Group 3 Park Express Stakes on comeback and fifth to A Lilac Rolla at Leopardstown before showing a smashing attitude in calmer waters at Killarney last time. Needs to improve and has yet to race on better than soft ground.

Azada: Looked a classy prospect when winning a seven-furlong maiden on heavy ground at Leopardstown on her sole start at two last October. Second and third from that race have won maidens since. Unexposed Siyouni filly is light on experience but has lots of potential for top team.

Bluedrum: Well-bred Blue Point filly looked a possible blacktype performer when winning on debut at Naas last September. Showed greenness out of the gates and a bit disappointing on soft-ground comeback in Group 3 Athasi Stakes last time.

Buttons: Debut maiden winner on only run at two and showed she’s capable of playing in group company when third to A Lilac Rolla on Leopardstown comeback, and second behind Wendla in another Leopardstown Group 3 a fortnight ago. This is more demanding but she’s consistent and represents leading connections.

Everlasting: Finished only half a length behind Purple Lily when third in the Salsabil Stakes over 10 furlongs last time, her first start on ground better than soft to heavy. Likely open to further progress and could run well at a big each-way price, but a career-best needed nonetheless.

Fallen Angel: High-class two-year-old, producing an excellent performance to win at Group 1 level in the Moyglare Stud Stakes here last September. Sent off 100/30 favourite for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket when disappointing in eighth of 16 runners (beaten four and three quarters of a length). Perhaps raced closer to the pace than ideal in a strongly-run race and no shock if she bounces back, though some confidence in her was lost after that defeat.

Finsceal Luas: Rated 88 and good enough to win a maiden at least, but this looks too tough a task.

Opera Singer: Outstanding two-year-old filly last season, posting a brilliant five-length win in the Prix Marcel Boussac as her third and final win of the campaign. Officially at least 3lb better than anything else in the field, though she may not be at concert pitch after meeting with a setback in the spring that ruled her out of the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Pearls And Rubies: Saved her best performance for her final run of 2023 when runner-up to Porta Fortuna in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Five-furlong maiden winner did finish second over seven furlongs in the Chesham Stakes but has her stamina to prove and lacks a recent run.

Purple Lily: Impressive maiden winner who made a most pleasing comeback at Naas before a half-length defeat when stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time in listed company at Navan last month. Likely will be more effective back at a mile, being a daughter of Calyx, and probably encouraging that Billy Lee stays loyal to her when he has been the regular rider of A Lilac Rolla and Vespertilio. Bold bid expected.

Queen Of Thunder: Two solid placed runs last season, but this looks a very demanding starting point for an 82-rated filly.

Skellet: Half-sister to Skitter Scatter, whose finest hour came at this track. British challenger looks likely to be a better three-year-old and posted encouraging second in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes when last seen. Absence of 226 days not ideal but could be on the premises.

Vespertilio: Stylish winner of last season’s Debutante Stakes before finishing second to Fallen Angel in Moyglare Stud Stakes. Looks every bit as good at three on the evidence of half-length defeat when third in French 1000 Guineas a fortnight ago on soft ground and won’t be inconvenienced by the rain that’s expected. Declan McDonogh takes over with Billy Lee riding Purple Lily.