JESSICA’S QUEEN TO BE CROWNED
JESSIE HARRINGTON can bounce back into the Classic spotlight when she saddles the smart VILLANOVA QUEEN (2.45) in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh today.
The Co. Kildare trainer sent out the brilliant Alpha Centauri to blitz her rivals four years ago in this one-mile rush and this maestro of both codes could have another fabulous filly to plunder the major mile prizes this summer with this daughter of Mastercraftsman.
An impressive winner of her maiden at Leopardstown, her second start as a juvenile, this athletic-looking chestnut filly took a huge step forward on her three-yearold debut when third in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at the Dublin track.
Beaten three lengths by Homeless Songs that day, there are reasons why the selection can turn that form around.
Firstly, her rival had the run of the race with a clear passage on the outside while Villanova Queen had to sit and suffer on the inside rail after being outpaced two-and-a-half furlongs out.
However, when the gap opened up at the distance, Harrington (above) saw her filly really grasp the nettle and eat up the ground to close home under a considerate ride.
She is way too big at a double-figure price and can take care of the Dermot Weldtrained rival along with the much fancied O’Brien pair of Tuesday and Concert Hall.
Aidan O’Brien should still get on the scoreboard by landing the two fillies’ maiden events with the beautifully-bred newcomer NEVER ENDING STORY (1.40) and ARCH (5.20) in the finale.
The valuable Tattersalls Gold Cup has plenty of strength in depth this year and affords a really good chance for LORD NORTH (2.40) to follow up his fantastic late surge in the Dubai Turf when he forced a dead heat close home with Panthalassa.
In the six-furlong handicap, have a second look at POPPY PETAL (2.10) from what looks a nice sit in box number 12. In England, the best wager on the Sunday Series card at York could come in the form of the frustrating but talented ORBAAN (5.05) in the one-mile handicap.
He should get a nice position mid-pack under the in-form Jason Watson before unleashing his challenge inside the quartermile marker.
Nottingham supplies us with the nap of the day in the form of top weight PEERLESS (3.40). He is taken to make all in the fivefurlong handicap after being far from disgraced in some better races in Bahrain.