Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial 2011

4.45 Leopardstown

Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial (Fillies' Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner €40,626

Ballybacka Lady: Not always the most straightforward, unplaced on two occasions but four length winner on final two year old start; Didn’t find much improvement for step up to a mile on AW latest so others preferred.

Dance Secretary: Third time lucky when being delivered late and through horses at the Curragh, improving from seasonal debut (that was on soft); Should improve for a step up in trip and while stable has other contender, foolish to assume this is back marker.

Face Reality: Limitations exposed in listed company twice after a winning debut over 6f at Newbury (then with Richard Hannon); encouraging start for this yard at Dundalk but the winner has since been well beaten and might be best to look elsewhere.

Gemstone: Looked as if she had trained on when creditable second to Lolly For Dolly on reappearance at Curragh and probably didn’t stay latest (Had to be re – shod; behind Manieree); Drop back should help and open race so she has to be given chance.

Handassa: Shaped as a filly with considerable potential when making winning debut in maiden at the Curragh last year (backed as if she was a very good sort beforehand); Has loads of fancy entries and can make her mark at this level, although this difficult after over 200 days off the track.

Hurricane Havoc: Made successful debut last year but behind Gemstone on next start and unable to make an impact when stepped up to Group company; Unable to make an impact over 7 furlongs and step up in trip not looking like a particular help.

Maniree: Bumped into smart prospect Cocozza on debut and accounted for now leading Oaks fancy Wonder Of Wonders next time out; Respectable runs in Group company the last twice, and promises to be suited by this trip more than the ten furlongs last time and could find herself setting a pretty decent standard; Johnny Murtagh rides.

Radharcnafarridge: Won a maiden and Group 3 at Naas last year at two, before fourth in the Albany at Royal Ascot, then Cherry Hinton; Well beaten on first start this year (stable jockey rejected this one) and new trip not likely to suit.

Sapphire Pendant:  Oaks entry; Cost 300,000 euros and made good impression when cutting down better fancied stablemate at Cork (half a furlong further); Better can be expected today and will be fitter for the first run.

Zaminast: One of many successful horses from the Weld battalion at Galway festival last summer, only just getting better of Ballybacka Lady (was switched for clear run); Obviously going onto much better things and stable won two of last three, so major respect for this 1,000 Guineas/Coronation Stakes entry.

VERDICT: All the talk is about Handassa & Zaminast but this will be tough enough without having to cope with long absences and any chinks in race – fitness will be exposed by MANIREE, who has Johnny Murtagh on board for the first time today.