Precise among 22 confirmed for 1000 Guineas

Ante-post favourite Precise is one of 22 fillies to stand their ground for the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.

The daughter of Starspangledbanner won four of her five juvenile starts, including Group One wins in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Fillies’ Mile over the Guineas course and distance on the Rowley Mile.

A spring setback threatened to derail plans to return to Headquarters on the first Sunday in May, but trainer Aidan O’Brien was upbeat when asked about her participation at a press morning last week and she was left in the first fillies’ Classic of the year at Monday’s confirmation stage.

The Ballydoyle handler has also left in the unbeaten Diamond Necklace, who he suggested could head for the French Guineas so long as Precise won her race to be fit for Newmarket, as well as True Love and Venosa.

The home team is headed by the Karl Burke-trained Venetian Sun, who was impressive in winning her first four starts at two before finishing third behind Precise on her final start in Ireland. Burke has an interesting second string to his bow in Prix de la Grotte victor Evolutionist.

Kempton winner Abashiri is Charlie Appleby’s sole hope of claiming back-to-back 1000 Guineas wins following Desert Flower’s triumph 12 months ago, while the Godolphin silks could also be carried by Andre Fabre’s potential French raider My Highness.

Other contenders include the Owen Burrows-trained Fred Darling runner-up Touleen, Ed Walker’s lightly-raced filly The Prettiest Star, Stuart Williams’ shock Nell Gwyn winner Azleet and the unbeaten Darn Hot Gallop from James Tate’s yard.