Fifteen horses will go to post for the highlight on the final day of the Newmarket Guineas Festival and what a story it would be if David Elsworth – the veteran trainer of Desert Orchid – could get the win in the Qipco 1000 Guineas with his two-time winner Dandhu. Although there is a warm favourite in Qabala, the market suggests this is an open Classic. Here are the contenders.
QABALA (Pictured – Trainer: Roger Varian; Jockey: David Egan) 11-4: Winner of the Nell Gwyn and looked to have more in the tank but may be an uneasy favourite on the form of her two wins.
JUST WONDERFUL (T: Aidan O’Brien; J: Ryan Moore) 6-1: Vastly more experienced than the favourite, though tended to blow hot and cold. With maturity should have a huge chance.
SKITTER SCATTER (T: John Oxx; J: Ronan Whelan) 6-1: Was with Patrick Prendergast as a 2yo and form rock solid. A good winner of the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes on previous run.
FAIRY LAND (T: Aidan O’Brien; J: Frankie Dettori) 13-2: Beat some of today’s rivals in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes last year, but stamina must be a question mark as mile is unknown territory.
IRIDESSA (T: Joseph O’Brien; J: Donnacha O’Brien) 15-2: A Group One win over course and distance is a huge plus point and may outweigh recent defeat to Lady Kaya over 7f.
DANDHU (T: David Elsworth; J: Gerard Mosse) 10-1: Deserves to take her chance and got her head in front at Newbury last time so knows how to win.
MOT JUSTE (T: Roger Varian; J: William Buick) 10-1: Strong performances at Group Three level and ran stablemate and favourite close on last run.
LADY KAYA (T: Sheila Lavery; J: Robbie Colgan) 12-1: Career to date has been a bit of a curate’s egg and another yet to go a mile, but when she puts it all together is very impressive.
ICONIC CHOICE (T: Tom Dascombe; J: Richard Kingscote) 20-1: Won’t lack for experience and has five wins under her belt, but second to Dandhu last time was best bit of form.
STAR TERMS (T: Richard Hannon; J: James Doyle) 20-1: Close enough to Dandhu at Newbury to be able to turn that around but not won over a mile yet.
ANGEL’S HIDEAWAY (T: John Gosden; J: Rob Havlin) 25-1: Well held by the favourite last time and yet to go the mile she’ll need to get in the Guineas. Others preferred.
FLEETING (T: Aidan O’Brien; J: Seamie Heffernan) 25-1: Has put in some good and bad runs but should have no trouble staying the distance, but others may have the edge in class.
HERMOSA (T: Aidan O’Brien; J: Wayne Lordan) 25-1: Won plenty of Group One place money to date, and that is probably her target at best.
LOOK AROUND (T: Andrew Balding; J: Oisin Murphy) 33-1: This looks a level above her capabilities based on two runs at Group Three level.
GARREL GLEN (T: Mark Tompkins; J: John Egan) 100-1: Last year’s winner was 66-1 but even with a Newmarket win under her belt, others look well ahead of her.
