Betfred 1000 Guineas: runner-by-runner guide and verdict

The last unbeaten filly to win the Betfred 1000 Guineas was Attraction, back in 2004, but it’s odds-on that a runner with an unblemished record will scoop Sunday’s Classic at Newmarket. 

Desert Flower, undefeated after four starts, heads the betting at around Evens, while Lake Victoria, who has won each of her five starts, is chalked up at 7-2. In addition, Chantilly Lace and Elwateen, both victorious on their only races last year, also feature in a final field of ten.

Only four favourites have won this century and one of those, Special Duty, needed the help of the stewards to prevail. 

By contrast, 14 winners have been returned at double-figure odds, with Elmalka scooping the spoils at 28-1 last year. 

Here’s a guide to all the runners. 

Official rating: --. Rowley Mile form: --. Odds: 25-1. 

Th daughter of Lope De Vega is a half-sister to Ten Sovereigns, the July Cup winner, and changed hands for 375,000gns as a yearling. She paid back £5,400 of that when mastering four colts on her debut on heavy ground at Salisbury (7f), although the form looks ordinary, at least by Group One standards, and this is going to be a completely different test. 

Official rating: 117. Rowley Mile form: 11. Odds: Evens. 

Flawless in her four races last season, saving her best for last when routing her rivals in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October. The chestnut filly impressed on the clock that day, having previously landed the May Hill at Doncaster. Her stable had a mixed time at the Craven meeting and it remains to be seen how she’s progressed from two to three, although it was always Charlie Appleby’s intention to bring her here without a warm-up run. The last British-trained runner to pull that off was Blue Bunting, another Godolphin runner, in 2011. 

Official rating: 109. Rowley Mile form: 3. Odds: 16-1. 

Seemed to have her limitations as a two-year-old, admittedly when encountering soft ground in pattern company, but was a revelation when thumping 14 rivals in commanding style in the Fred Darling on her return at Newbury. It’s no surprise she has been supplemented after that success – the Italian Guineas had been the plan - although she’s speedy and her pedigree points to a mile being a question mark. 

Official rating: --. Rowley Mile form: --. Odds: 33-1. 

Was sent off her odds-on for her debut at Kempton (7f) in mid-August and duly got the job done, although the form looks nothing special and it is disconcerting that we have not seen her since. Seeks to turn back the clock for Saeed Bin Suroor, who landed the 2002 renewal with Kazzia, although this contender will not carry the blue colours of Godolphin. 

Official rating: 100. Rowley Mile form: 3. Odds: 33-1. 

She only had a Sandown maiden win to show from her five races last term but twice had the misfortune to bump into Desert Flower and wasn’t disgraced on either occasion. Flight is a strong traveller and can make her presence felt if she’s made a bit more progression over the winter. 

Official rating: 101. Rowley Mile form: --. Odds: 66-1. 

Unraced as a juvenile but has been making up for lost time this year, winning twice at Chelmsford before chasing home Duty First in the Fred Darling. She was no match for the winner that day, though, and is easy enough to pass over. 

Official rating: 119. Rowley Mile form: 1. Odds: 7-2. 

Carried all before her last season, reeling off successive Grade One wins in three different countries (the Moyglare in Ireland, Chevely Park in England and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf in America) over three different trips (7f, 6f and a mile). She’s the one to beat on form but it’s a niggle that Aidan O’Brien cast doubt on her being ready to run in the spring, having given her an extended break. Newmarket’s straight mile will also ask a new stamina question although she’s by Frankel and most of her siblings are stayers. 

Official rating: 111. Rowley Mile form: --. Odds: 5-1. 

The grey looked a tad unlucky not to beat the more experienced Lake Victoria on her debut and I fancied her to turn the tables in the Moyglare, having easily gone one better the next time, but she got rather locked up on the rail and could finish only a close fourth. Ger Lyons always has a twinkle in his eye when she gets a mention and, with his horses in fine form this term, don’t be surprised if she takes a big jump forward. 

Official rating: 101. Rowley Mile form: 3. Odds: 66-1. 

Booked her slot when a creditable third in the Nell Gwyn this month, and that needs marking up as he had been off track since landing a three-runner maiden at Newmarket (July Course) in June of last year. Stable hot, but this looks a big ask. 

Official rating: 109. Rowley Mile form: --. Odds: 50-1. 

Established herself as being among last season’s top juvenile fillies, winning Group races at Ascot and Deauville before running creditably in defeat in the Moyglare (second to Lake Victoria) and Prix Marcel Boussac. However, she ran poorly in the Fred Darling on her return, with her connections suggesting afterwards she would prefer easier ground. 

Desert Flower and Lake Victoria deserve their places at the head of the market, although both have to prove their wellbeing and show they have trained on. Preference is for the latter, who carried all before her last term and is the sole representative of Aidan O'Brien. Red Letter also has a bigger performance in her and seems sure to run well.

1 LAKE VICTORIA 2 DESERT FLOWER 3 RED LETTER