The English 1000 Guineas will be run tomorrow (Sunday, May 5, 2019) at the famed Newmarket course in English.
The English 2000 Guineas is run over one mile straight. The analysis follows below.
1 - ANGEL'S HIDEAWAY (7)
Won maiden at Haydock and Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot (by two and a half lengths from Royal Intervention) in 2018, both at 6f. Not seen to best effect on return from six months off when two and a half lengths third to Qabala in 7f Nell Gwyn Stakes here last time, not ideally placed. More exposed than most and it's hard to think she'll have masses more to offer as a three-year-old.
2 - DANDHU (14)
Won 7f minor event at Kempton (by two and three quarter lengths from Desirous) in 2018. Also made winning return after seven months off in 15-runner Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury (by short head from Iconic Choice, making to lead over a furlong out) last time. Clearly a useful filly but she didn't have to improve for that success and will likely find life tougher in this field.
3 - FAIRYLAND (1)
Successful in four of five starts in 2018, namely maiden at Naas, listed race at the Curragh, Lowther Stakes at York and Cheveley Park Stakes here (by neck from The Mackem Bullet). Raced only at 6f and has plenty of speed, so it's hard to be confident that she will be suited by this longer trip. Plenty of speed in her pedigree, too, by Kodiac and a sister to smart 5f/6f winner Atletico.
4 - FLEETING (12)
Made winning debut in 7f maiden at Limerick and also won May Hill Stakes at Doncaster (by one and a half lengths from Star Terms) in 2018. Finished three lengths third to stablemate Just Wonderful in Flame of Tara Stakes at the Curragh in between, and should have more to offer this season. Well on top at the finish at Doncaster, and will stay further than 1m, certainly looking more of an Oaks than Guineas filly, but she's entitled to take her chance for top yard.
5 - GARREL GLEN (13)
Workmanlike filly who showed fairly useful form when winning a 7f minor event here on her second start last season. That wasn't much of a race, though, and she will likely be out of her depth pitched in at this level on return. Will stay 1m.
6 - HERMOSA (4)
Useful performer who won maiden at Galway and C. L. & M. F. Weld Park Stakes at Naas (by two and a half lengths from Foxtrot Liv) in 2018, both at 7f. Good second after in Fillies Mile over C&D (beaten one and a half lengths by Iridessa) and Criterium International at Chantilly (three quarters of a length behind Royal Meeting). Step back up to 1m will suit (she'll stay further) and can't be ruled out in an open year.
7 - ICONIC CHOICE (9)
Angular filly who won minor event at Newbury, nurseries at Haydock, Ripon and Ayr, and listed race at Newbury (by two and a half lengths from Glance) in a busy 2018 campaign. Produced best effort yet after six months off when short-head second of 15 to Dandhu in 7f Fred Darling Stakes, also at Newbury, last time, making headway over a furlong out and just failing. Will be suited by a return to 1m, but whether she has the quality to win is another matter.
8 - IRIDESSA (3)
Strong, well-made filly who won minor event at Killarney and Fillies' Mile over C&D (by one and a half lengths from Hermosa) in 2018. Shaped much better than result after six months off, carrying condition when two and a quarter lengths third of 14 to Lady Kaya in 7f Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial last time, trapped wide. Should be spot on for this now and looks a leading player with step back up to 1m very much in her favour.
9 - JUST WONDERFUL (15)
Smallish, strong filly who struggled for consistency in 2018, but still managed to win three times, notably Flame of Tara Stakes at the Curragh and 7f Rockfel Stakes here (by one and three quarter lengths from Dandhu, idled having quickened clear). Never-nearer fourth (from difficult position after slowish start) to impressive Newspaperofrecord in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs on final start and needs considering on return having won first time up last year.
10 - LADY KAYA (8)
Won 7f minor event at the Curragh before producing better efforts in pattern races in 2018, notably when second in Moyglare Stud Stakes at same course (two lengths behind Skitter Scatter). Made winning return in Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial (readily by two and a quarter lengths from Happen) last time and that performance puts her right in the mix here.
11 - LOOK AROUND (10)
Won minor event at Kempton and listed race at Sandown (by one and a quarter lengths from Ajrar) in 2018, both at 7f. Disappointed in Prestige Stakes won by Antonia de Vega on final start, but got back on track after eight months off when three and a half lengths fourth to Qabala in Nell Gwyn Stakes here last time. That only fairly useful form, though, and much more needed now.
12 - MOT JUSTE (2)
Won 7.5f minor event at Beverley and Oh So Sharp Stakes here (7f, by three quarters of a length from Angel's Hideaway) in 2018. Proved weak in the market after six months off when one and three quarter lengths second to stablemate Qabala in Nell Gwyn Stakes last time, making good headway from two furlongs out. Remains with potential and comes from a family that progress with age, too.
13 - QABALA (6)
Made winning debut over 7f here sole start in 2018 (strong form) and well backed when following up after seven months off in Nell Gwyn Stakes over same C&D last time. That was a good performance, coming from further back than most in a race that wasn't set up for closers. Exciting prospect and very much one to consider with the step up to 1m sure to suit.
14 - SKITTER SCATTER (11)
Smart performer when trained by P.J. Prendergast in 2018, winning 5f maiden at Dundalk, Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown, Debutante Stakes and Moyglare Stud Stakes (by 2 lengths from Lady Kaya), both at the Curragh, all over 7f. Been well touted for this race in the lead up and is one of the leading form players on first start for new yard.
15 - STAR TERMS (5)
Rather sparely-made filly who won maiden at Newbury and nursery on July Course (by length from Roxy Art) in 2018, both at 7f. Also second in May Hill Stakes at Doncaster and third in Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp (2 short necks behind Lily's Candle, not best of runs). Possibly unsuited by drop in trip when three-quarter length fourth to Dandhu in 7f Fred Darling stakes last time.
Analyst's Verdict
It was hard not to be impressed by QABALA in the Nell Gwyn here last month on just her second career start, and there should be much more to come from her in what looks an open renewal. She is just preferred to Skitter Scatter, who had a few of these in behind when a ready winner of the Moyglare at the Curragh, while Just Wonderful heads a strong team from Ballydoyle.
Timeform’s 1000 Guineas 1-2-3
- Qabala
- Skitter Scatter
- Just Wonderful
