Is Barbara a banker? Runner-by-runner guide to the QIPCO 1000 Guineas

The feature of the build-up to the QIPCO 1000 Guineas has been Santa Barbara’s odds shrinking almost by the day.

Odds of 33-1 last autumn have long vanished and she is now little more than Evens. It’s not out of the question she will go off at odds-on if the momentum keeps going for another 48 hours, although the performances of Aidan O’Brien's trio in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday may have deneted a bt of confidence.

Eleven rivals stand in her way but Alcohol Free is the only previous Group One winner in the field and the likes of Pretty Gorgeous, Indigo Girl and Shale – all among the top juvenile fillies last year – will be standing idle in their boxes.

Here’s a guide to all the contenders.

Timeform rating: 124. Odds: 7-1

The Cheveley Park winner is the only Group One winner in the field and confirmed she had trained on when touching off Statement in the Fred Darling at Newbury on her return. Not sure to confirm that form over this extra furlong, though, and others more persuasive given her possible stamina limitations.

Timeform rating: 118. Odds: 16-1

She’s already proven to be a bargain buy, signing off last year with a creditable fourth in the Prix Marcel Boussac after an earlier Group Two win in France. Requires more, but she’s likeable and proven over a mile. First-time cheekpieces may also add an edge.

Timeform rating: 114. Odds: 33-1

Connections used the services of three trainers last year and she thrived in the mud in the second half of the campaign at up to 7f. Hinted a mile would be within her reach when winning a Group two at Chantilly on her final start but her earlier form in Britain falls short of what is required.

Timeform rating: 126. Odds: 12-1

One win from nine races last season points to limitations but she upped her game when stepped up to a mile in the autumn, finishing third in the Fillies’ Mile and then second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf . Will not need to improve much on those efforts, if at all, to make her presence felt.

Timeform rating: 121. Odds: 9-1

Runner-up in three Group Two sprint races as a juvenile before running poorly in first-time headgear in the Cheveley Park. Got back on track when landing the Nell Gwyn on her return at Newmarket this month, although everything fell her way that day and the extra furlong is not sure to help her.

Timeform rating: 119. Odds: 9-1

Won each of her two races here last year, including the Oh So Sharp Stakes, and shaped encouragingly when runner-up to Sacred back at Headquarters on her return when possibly more in need of the run and considerately handled. She’s not without chances of turning the tables and making the frame, with the step up to a mile expected to suit.

Timeform rating: 111P. Odds: 6-4

Well-bred filly who stamped herself as one to follow when beating a big field on her debut on soft ground at the Curragh in late September. Her trainer’s admiration for her is impossible to ignore but her price is based on reputation and potential, rather than form. Even if she is the best horse in the race, she could be undone by a lack of experience and being drawn (stall 1) on a wing.

Timeform rating: 106. Odds: 66-1

Lines up as a maiden after six starts, albeit a useful one whose efforts last year included finishing third in the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket in August. Not seen to best advantage when down the field in the Nell Gwyn on her return, but Alcohol Free looks the No 1 hope of her owner.

Timeform rating: 109. Odds: 66-1

Won twice last year when trained by Kevin Ryan, including the Group Three Solera Stakes at Sandown, but then had limits exposed in the May Hill and Fillies’ Mile. No obvious excuses when fifth in the Nell Gwyn, either, on debut for John and Thady Gosden, plus Frankie Dettori jumps off to ride for Aidan O’Brien.

Timeform rating: 118. Odds: 14-1

Confirmed the promise of her first two starts when losing her maiden tag at Newbury in October and ran a cracker on her return when touched off by Alcohol Free in the Fred Darling, just needing a stride or two more to get up. Her pedigree and runs suggests she will relish stepping up to a mile, so every chance she will turn the tables on her Newbury conqueror and make a bold bid.

Timeform rating: 115. Odds: 16-1

Disappointed in Group One company on heavy ground in France on her final start last year, but she had previously been an eye-catching fifth in the Moyglare after a taking winning debut at the Curragh (watch above). This will be her first experience of fast going, but the daughter of 2000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder is an interesting outsider for a trainer more than capable of teeing one up for the big day.

Timeform rating: 111p. Odds: 25-1

Looked a good prospect when winning on her debut at Newcastle in mid-November (6f) and was a massive eye-catcher in the Fred Darling, keeping on to be third from a long way back under Jamie Spencer, who again rides. She’s an exciting prospect, although the speed she possesses suggests sprinting may end up being her forte.

At the odds on offer, you are either with Santa Barbara, or against her. I’m in the latter camp and will have no regrets even if she justifies her tall reputation and wins easily.

Mother Earth, her stablemate, makes much more sense in terms of form, but I’m drawn to a pair at even bigger odds in Thunder Beauty and Statement. I strongly fancy the latter to turn the tables on Alcohol Free, her Fred Darling conqueror, over the extra furlong and will be disappointed if she fails to make the frame.

1 Statement. 2. Thunder Beauty. 3 Mother Earth