A BIG EVENING FOR JESS

ALBIGNA can follow in Alpha Centauri’s footsteps and give

Jessica Harrington her second win in the Irish 1000 Guineas this evening.

Her win in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium des Pouliches at Longchamp on Prix de l’arc de Triomphe day last year is the best form on show for this Group One contest.

Following that run, she went to the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf where she came from last to pick up speed in the closing stages to finish fourth.

These surroundings will be much more familiar to her, given three of her runs as a two-year-old came at the Curragh, and she looks the banker.

Aidan O’brien is aiming for a 1,000 Guineas double after Love’s win at Newmarket six days ago.

He runs Peaceful and So Wonderful, while the undefeated Fancy Blue is a very interesting runner for his son Donnacha.

Albigna is the one they all have to beat though and I struggle to see her being stopped if it goes right for her.

Verimli is an interesting runner in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Ragusa” Handicap, having his first start for Joseph O’brien.

He won three of his four starts in France when trained by Alain de Royerdupre and O’brien has enjoyed some big race wins for Verimli’s new owner – Lloyd J Williams.

In the Group 3 Coolmore Calyx Gladness Stakes, Aidan O’brien’s Lancaster House looks the one open to the most improvement having had four career starts so far.

Unraced as a two-year-old, he won his first three starts last year before finishing down the field in a Group 2 at Leopardstown.

Speak In Colours has the best form in the race, but there might just be more to come from Lancaster House.

And the last race also looks set to go to Aidan O’brien, who runs globetrotter Magic Wand.

Her last four runs have come in Saudi Arabia, America, Hong Kong and Australia and she can show her class to land the Lanwades Stud Stakes.

Meanwhile at Newbury, Franconia looks a good bet under Frankie Dettori in the British Stallion Studs Ebf/mansionbet Abingdon Fillies’ Stakes.