The second Classic of the Irish turf season comes up on Sunday at the Curragh. The 1000 Guineas is a race that the Aidan O’Brien Ballydoyle juggernaut have won five times in the last decade. Can they do so again in 2021 or will they find at least one better on the heavy ground?
There is also racing on Sunday at Fakenham and Nottingham, though naturally all eyes will be on the Curragh even with Love missing from the Tattersalls Gold Cup. We’ll have horse racing tips for all three cards on Sunday but for now, let’s concentrate on the 1000 Guineas.
Pretty Gorgeous (Shane Crosse, Joseph O’Brien)
The best of these as a juvenile, winning the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket to close out her 2020 campaign. She has not been seen since, taken out at Newmarket having had a setback. That is not an ideal prep for this, also giving up fitness to her two main rivals who have not only had a run but stepped up on their 2020 form. She may still be good enough to win but there is enough against her at the price.
Joan Of Arc (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore)
Seen just once as a two-year-old, she has been kept busy with this her fourth run of 2021. She took a big step forward when winning a trial for this race at Leopardstown having also scored on deep ground at this track in a March maiden. Less exposed than her main market rivals, she is respected but does need to improve on that form again now.
Fev Rover (Paul Hanagan, Richard Fahey)
The Irish ruled the roost at the Cheltenham Festival but things can swing the other way on the flat. Picked up for just £20,000 at the sales, Nick Bradley Racing are showing again what a great judge of a horse they are. Always well regarded, she was pitched into a Group 2 on just her second start, giving Dandalla (in the same ownership) a huge scare.
She showed that soft ground is fine for her in France, winning a Group 2 and then fourth in the Prix Marcel Boussac. Her 1000 Guineas third at Newmarket was another step forward on her juvenile runs, bringing the strongest form in the book to the table.
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The trends would look to point towards Joan Of Arc for those who like their stats. She has already had a run this season, represents Ballydoyle, is in the top three of the betting but isn’t the favourite.
With the ground coming up heavy and coming off a career-best, it’s hard to get away from Fev Rover. She won a Group 2 on bottomless ground in France last October and produced the strongest form of any in this field when third in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Others have less miles on the clock and are liable to progress past her as the season moves on but for now she is a very confident choice to gain a huge win for her connections.
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