Angus McNae: my four tips for 1000 Guineas day

Kaplan was a very impressive handicap winner here 18 days ago, but she takes a big step up in grade now which could make her vulnerable to a filly of Winter Snowfall’s potential.

The Galileo filly has had just two starts, running second at Kempton Park on debut before winning at Chelmsford City. She beat Danielle there, who went on to win by a wide margin at Wetherby last Sunday. 

Winter Snowfall is open to plenty of improvement as she steps up in trip to 10 furlongs and trainer Charlie Appleby could not be in much better form, with the stable going at a 33 per cent strike-rate in the last two weeks.

Despite defeat in the Nell Gwyn, Dance Sequence emerged as the best filly in the race. 

She quickened smartly to get to the winner before wandering and losing out narrowly in the final furlong. That burst of speed she showed saw her record the fastest Race IQ sectional at the Craven meeting and, if her challenge can be timed right here, that potent turn of foot could prove decisive over this trip which seems sure to suit.

I am keen to play this filly each-way in the 1000 Guineas at a big-looking 20/1. 

She is unbeaten in four starts for Charlie Appleby and on her latest start at Meydan won the Jumeirah Guineas with ease, despite William Buick losing his irons and his filly running too freely and wide around the bend. It was a remarkable performance given he jockey had to concentrate more on survival rather than winning. 

Cinderella's Dream posted two impressive sub-11s furlongs with no assistance at all and such an effort marks her down as very smart. She comes here underestimated.

Sea The Thunder is open to plenty of improvement having had just three starts as a two-year-old, when he improved with each run and signed off with a third at a maiden at this track when staying on well.

He also begins his three-year-old career off a handicap mark of 82 and in a race that lacks strength in depth. It looks like he will stay further than this 10 furlongs and a strongly-run race will suit him. 

He could prove to be a step or two ahead of his mark.