3.50 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas (Group 1) 1m

Aspen Grove: Solid run on reappearance when third to Zarinsk and today’s rival Tarawa in the Group 3 Cornelscourt Stakes at Leopardstown. Could be a better model at three than two but this looks a very tough assignment.

Breege: Big outsider for British-based Tipperary native John Quinn. Not disgraced when fifth of 12 runners in Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac on last start in October but needs to have come forward plenty from that effort to be a major player.

Comhra: Lowest-rated runner in the line-up with an official mark of 95. Cheekpieces now tried for the first time after finishing fifth behind today’s rivals Tarawa and Aspen Grove in the Cornelscourt Stakes. Would be a shock winner.

Dower House: Outsider of the Ballydoyle trio. The fact a listed third at Gowran over an extended nine furlongs is her best effort indicates plenty of improvement is required to land a blow.

Eternal Silence: Yet to make the breakthrough but highly rated for a maiden. Finished a fine third to Tahiyra when beaten six and three quarters of a length in last year’s Moyglare Stud Stakes and now makes first start since. Pedigree suggests she could appreciate the sound surface and is open to improvement at three, but tall order to reverse form with Tahiyra.

Jackie Oh: Bred in the purple and was supplemented into the race at a cost of €50,000 on Tuesday. Unexposed and open to improvement as a twice-raced maiden winner who finished second over ten furlongs on heavy ground at Navan when last seen in the Listed Salsabil Stakes. Untried on ground as quick as this and could want a longer trip but has place claims.

Meditate: Breeders’ Cup heroine ended last season as the second highest-rated juvenile filly in Ireland, behind only Tahiyra. This a stiffer mile than when winning over the same distance at Keeneland last November but every chance she’ll cope with it fine (out of a Dalakhani mare). Never a real factor when sixth (beaten 11 and a half lengths) in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket but didn’t appear to have ideal preparation and soft ground wouldn’t have suited. Should get much closer to Tahiyra now on sound surface if back to best.

Tahiyra: A dazzling win in last season’s Moyglare Stud Stakes here saw her crowned Europe’s top-rated two-year-old filly in 2022. Dermot Weld indicated the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket may have been coming slightly too early in her campaign but this well-bred filly still finished a cracking second to much more experienced Mawj, who was having her eighth start compared to Tahiyra’s third. The pair pulled seven and a half lengths clear of the rest but it was arguably slightly disappointing this Aga Khan filly wasn’t able to nose in front given her level of class. Still, she is a standout in this company and should take all the beating if at her brilliant best - and coping with the quickest ground she’s ever faced.

Tarawa: Stablemate of Tahiyra looked a smart prospect when winning a Leopardstown maiden on her second and final start at two. Came home promisingly when second in the Cornelscourt Stakes on her reappearance and every chance she’ll come forward. Interesting to see how she copes with conditions given she’s unraced on better than soft ground.

You Send Me: Ready Cork maiden winner last month and followed that up with a creditable effort against older rivals when second in the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes. Another who has yet to face ground better than soft to heavy. Would be a surprise winner but not a total shock if she emerged with a small share of the prize money.

Conclusion:

Tahiyra will be extremely tough to beat if able to reproduce her best form, though there are slight concerns over tackling the driest ground she’s yet to face and turning around just three weeks on from a 1000 Guineas duel with Mawj. Medidate has conditions in her favour and should be closer to the selection this time at the very least, while Tarawa looks to have the natural talent to be able to reach the frame if coping with the ground.