Irish 1,000 Guineas 2011

4.15 Curragh

Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas (Fillies' Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner €188,500

Pick: Misty For Me (each/way)

Ballybacka Lady: Not always the most straightforward, unplaced on two occasions but four length winner on final two year old start; Improved out of all recognition (based on earlier form ) when registering comfortable success in 1,000 Guineas trial; Should be taken seriously despite marked step up in class.

Banimpire: One of most improved fillies this season, landing pattern hat trick which included defeat of Derby contender Recital with fairly confortable beating of Spin under a penalty in listed race latest; May still be able to improve further and one of main contenders, with likely strong pace enough to negate drop in trip.

Crysanthemum: Two from two so far, both in pattern company when comfortably winning Listed race on debut and good attitude to gain Group 3 win over 7 furlongs here; Form of that race been well upheld since, and big player if ready.

Claiomh Solais: Fancied and ran a decent race on debut in average maiden before suffering heavy form reversal with third placed horse at Leopardstown latest; Broke her maiden last time out but well behind Emiyna in Athasi Stakes and no reason for form reversal.

Emiyna: Was backed like a good horse when winning only modest 3 –YO maiden at Dundalk on seasonal reappearance, and far better when only just holding off multiple Group winner Lolly For Dolly; That form some of best in field, but she was getting caught at the line and must go further today.

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); Ran promising race on reappearance when well behind Ballybacka Lady and can do well again, but this demands more of her.

History Note: Taking winner on debut & only run at two and didn’t get good trip when third behind Wild Wind and Empowering in trial for this event at Leopardstown; Can do better here although stable would seem to have better chances, so while not discounted, others preferred.

Laughing Lashes: Progressed with every run as a juvenile, showing plenty of talent when runner-up in maiden at the Curragh, Group 3 at Leopardstown, and in Moyglare; Did get better of Misty For Me in Debuante & can be taken seriously if awful comeback in Guineas ignored.

Look At Me: Won despite inexperience on debut but that factor too costly in Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes, pulling notably hard early before making eye-catching late headway (awkward when asked for effort but still clear of UAE Oaks/Derby winner Kawlah); Dissapointing on comeback but that seasonal return (and was reported in season after race) so another major player, albeit one with lot to prove.

Majestic Dubawi: Looked in need of the experience on debut at Newbury in very good maiden, and went onto to confirm that promise by winning maiden and then Group 3 at Ayr; Well beaten in Free Handicap on return and hard to trust after that, up in trip/class.

Misty For Me: Hugely progressive through last year, stepping off maiden win to come second in Debutante and reversing form with Laughing Lashes to grab all the way win in Moyglare before outbattling Helleborine to win Marcel Boussac; Well beaten on comeback in Guineas but clearly needed the run and major form chance if that forgiven.

Rose Bonheur: Never out of first two in 5 starts, nearly beating History Note as a two year old last season, and completed double with impressive win in handicap latest; That said, stamina for this trip extremely doubtful.

 Seeharn: Looked a filly with a future when winning her maiden and listed race, doing the job comfortably when asked on that occasion; Not lived up to that promise over longer trips, and well behind Emiyna latest.

Together: One of most consistent fillies of last year, following Moyglare fourth with Fillies Mile second & although didn’t run to that form afterwards, found best foot when making bold bid to come second in Guineas at Newmarket last time out; Can go well if repeating that form.

Wild Wind: Ran with credit for much of last season and has come back in good form this year, with Group 3 and Listed seconds; Carrer best third in French 1,000 Guineas last time and if repeating that effort literally, can have her say here.

VERDICT: A tightly contested renewal, as with the Newmarket guineas. Aidan O’Brien (3 wins since 2000) seems to have a very strong hand, and it might pay to side with him. His Together is favourite based on her 1,000 Guineas form, but it could be worth giving another chance to MISTY FOR ME. She didn’t look  prepared when 11th in the 1,000 Guineas, and with a run under belt, can do much better today. The stable’s 2,000 Guineas winner Roderic O’Connor had a similar profile.Of the other Ballydoyle runners, Wild Wind could be significantly overpriced if literally repeating her form from last time, while Look At Me has a lot to prove.  John Oxx’s Emyina holds a strong chance on her win last time out, but an extra furlong could pose a problem, Laughing Lashes is held by the selection on form, while Banimpire has been racing a lot of late.