Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas: runner-by-runner guide

Most unexposed in the field, having impressed with a four-length win on debut at Kempton prior to which the dogs were barking (sent off 4-6 in a field of 13).  

Deserves plenty of credit, therefore, for her fine fifth behind True Love in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, never far from the pace and battling on well after being headed a furlong out. 

Wouldn’t want this to become a sprint (dam won the Group One Prix Saint-Alary in France over 1m2f) so likely to give it a good go from near the front once more. Respected. 

Wide-margin winner on debut over six furlongs at Haydock who duly improved with each start, when runner-up to Royal Fixation in the Lowther at York and then when closer to that rival when two and a quarter lengths fourth to True Love in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket a month later. 

Possibly a little too fresh (and didn’t appear to handle ‘The Dip’ too well) when given a more aggressive ride when a neck-second to Azleet in the Nell Gwyn on her reappearance last month. 

Interesting that connections run here rather than in France as appeared to be the original plan, but form leaves her with plenty to find as she tries a mile for the first time (bred to be a sprinter). 

Well-placed winner of the six-furlong Group Two Airlie Stakes here last June, beating the five-furlong horse Lady Iman, but showed that was no fluke when giving Precise a real battle in the Groupe 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes here following a break.  

No-show in the Cheveley on her next start, and again well below form when mid-field in the Nell Gwyn on her reappearance last month. 

Could easily come on plenty for that outing, and shapes as if this longer trip will suit (dam won the Munster Oaks over a mile and a half), but plenty to prove at present if she is to do an Empress Josephine impression (the only Ballydoyle winner over the last decade to win at double-figure odds). 

Took her form up a notch when encountering soft ground towards the end of last season, following up Cork maiden win with an empathic success in the Group Three Weld Park Stakes here. 

Lost a hind shoe when a very disappointing joint-favourite with True Love on her Leopardstown reappearance, but produced a better effort in first-time cheekpieces when chasing home Kensington Lane – who got first run on her - over C&D earlier this month. 

Plenty to find on form. 

Made no mistake when sent off odds-on for her Beverley debut last June, winning comfortably, but had to knuckle down to see off recent listed winner Jennifer Jane at Sandown the following month. Not seen since due to ‘a couple of little niggles’. 

Clearly, that form leaves her with a mountain to climb, but she is open to plenty of improvement and is related to Attraction, one of only four to do the English/Irish 1000 Guineas double. 

Took five starts to get off the mark last term and couldn’t convert that emphatic Gowran win into a performance of any note when last of nine behind Black Caviar Gold on her final start. 

Shaped as if needing the run when mid-field behind True Love last month and appeared to take a big step forward when getting first run on old rival Black Caviar Gold when winning the Group 3 Athasi Stakes earlier this month. 

Often quickly out of the gates so could help push the early pace. Unlikely to stay there when the race hots up. 

Eight-race maiden (disqualified from debut win for a banned substance) who has run some solid races in defeat, including when second to True Love at Leopardstown last month. 

Some doubts on pedigree whether this step up to a mile will suit. 

Eye-catching fifth on debut and looked an exciting prospect when coming well clear of the now clear Oaks favourite Amelia Earhart on her next start at Galway.  

Too keen when sixth behind Precise in the Group One Moyglare, but much better effort with sights lowered in the Weld Park a fortnight later, finding only Black Caviar Gold too good. 

Promising reappearance when third to True Love last month and could outrun her odds if settling better on this first attempt at a mile.

Somewhat unlucky not to be unbeaten in her two-year-old season, getting going a little too late over six furlongs on debut at Fairyhouse but taking steps forward in each of her subsequent four starts which included wins in the Prestige at Goodwood, Moyglare here, and Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. 

Strong in the betting ahead of return in the 1000 Guineas back there earlier this month, but, racing on the far flank, never looked like getting involved from off the pace. 

Held in very high regard by her trainer (who described her as in a ‘different gear’ to Minding after her win in the Fillies’ Mile!) and could take a big step forward here with that run under her belt, though would be no great surprise to see her best form come over further later in the season. 

Late to the party and looked to possess plenty of stamina when third on heavy ground on her October debut here, and no problem breaking duck when stepped up to a mile on reappearance at Gowran last month.  

Far from disgraced when fourth behind Kensington Lane and Black Caviar Gold here last time, and trainer isn’t one to underestimate, but probably would have preferred slower ground here. 

Made a fast start when winning over six furlongs at Newbury last June, but unable to make a telling impression in four following starts, including when fourth to Precise at Goodwood. 

Stepped up a level when picking up well from off the pace to scoop the Dubai Duty Free Stakes back at Newbury on reappearance last month, and this race was immediately nominated afterwards. 

Has a good turn of foot but should stay this longer trip on pedigree and recent dry weather should play to her strengths. Could outrun her odds. 

Strapping filly who was kept busy as a juvenile, winning the Queen Mary, Railway, and Cheveley Park Stakes, with her seven starts including five against the boys.  

Unable to cope with the drop back to five on lightning fast ground at the Breeders’ Cup on her final start that term, but much more at home over seven furlongs at Leopardstown on her return, before showing a fine turn of foot two out to surge ahead when successful in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. 

Looks the finished article now and very hard to oppose as a result. 

The choice of Ryan Moore, it’s no surprise that the money has come for TRUE LOVE as she attempts to become just the fifth horse to pull off the historic English/Irish 1000 Guineas double. 

I think she will, as she looks the most complete individual at this stage of the season, but there isn’t much wriggle room in her price with a host of these open to improvement. 

Clearly, stablemate Precise is one of those, but I fancy her more for the Oaks than this assignment, and it would be no great surprise to see some of the English runners fare well. 

While the Jaber Abdullah pair could both step up, the obvious one is the Newmarket fifth Abashiri who ran as well as could have been expected there on just her second start. She could prove to be the toughest nut for True Love to crack.  

1 TRUE LOVE 2 ABASHIRI 3 PRECISE