1000 Guineas 2014

As soon as I open my mouth regarding Clive Brittain, up he pops with a winner. Mind you, that was his first winner for six months!

I am with Ginger here, 4/1 looks way short and we need a double figure price in an open looking year. My rank outsiders at 33/1 and 40/1 for a bit of fun have taken other paths now and it is time for the main bet.

If I had more faith in Lucky Kristale staying the mile I would pile in at the current best price of 10/1 but with that reservation in mind I’ll take a chance and hope she can see it out if the ground is good or better.

Lucky Kristale floored current favourite Rizeena at odds of 20/1 and she followed up in good style in the Lowther at York. The 7th horse that day, J Wonder, gave a nice boost to the form when winning The Fred Darling at Newbury and at 2 and a half times the price of the current favourite I think she’s worth a play, as potentially one of the faster fillies in the race.

Not sure exactly why but it seems the 1,000 is in recent years that much more likely to throw up a shock than its male counterpart. Perhaps the likes of the Lowther and Cheveley Park attract too many non-stayers or perhaps the fillies trials are relatively weaker? So many runners in recent editions of the Nell Gwyn and Fred Darling presumably an indication of a lack of quality.

Last year the better fillies appeared to beat each other with several looking as if a stiff mile might not exactly be their ideal.

With no great confidence I would side with the O’Brien pair, Tapestry and Bracelet. Tapestry was probably a shade unfortunate not to remain unbeaten and unlike those who beat her looks certain to appreciate the extra furlong. Perhaps she had a setback after her racecourse gallop as she took a walk in the market but she is now relatively solid. Presumably, Bracelet has always shown plenty at home and she put in a pretty extraordinary performance to beat Balansiya on her seasonal debut. At that time Aidan couldn’t buy a winner and Weld couldn’t lose. Had she been prepared differently to everything else in the yard or was it just natural ability overcoming poor preparation? The market would seem to indicate the latter.

They are difficult to split so I would suggest small stakes on both at 10/1 and 12/1. Can’t really see them getting any bigger. Any rain wouldn’t be a problem, in fact the more significant stamina test the better their chances.

O’Brien has taken steps forward in the last few days with regards to stable well being. Of your two selections I much prefer Tapestry as I believe her form is at a better level. Bracelet has had a run but I’m not 100% convinced about how much the form will ultimately be worth. I can see Tapestry shortening up by raceday, particularly if Australia does the business the day previous. I would strongly suggest taking the 10/1 with Coral before it goes. I envisage that she may be second favourite at about 5/1 by Sunday. Rizeena continues to look rank value at a skinny 3/1 in places now.

Al Thakhira looks good value at 25/1 if improving for her recent run

On form 25/1 might seem value Ben, but Al Thakhira is 159/1 with betfair and doubtful starter unless they get rain.

Amazing Maria appeals to me at slightly bigger odds than the market principles. She looks as though 1m will suit her and to me looks like a horse who really enjoys her racing. Another one who’s hard to get away from is Tapestry, can’t really fault her! I was a big fan of Ihtimal last summer but you have to wonder how much improvement she has in her having had 2 runs at Meydan over the winter and 8 runs in total.

Amazing Maria with a smaller bet on Tapestry for me I think.

I agree with Ginger and don’t fancy Al Thakhira at all. I didn’t think much of the trials at all this year and would be shocked if the winner emerges from those races.

I have major doubts regarding Lucky Kristale getting home and that is why I didn’t latch on to her a long time ago at bigger odds. Now the race is here though I thought 10/1 was worth a punt as there is no doubt in my mind she is probably faster than the majority of the field.

At the odds on offer now I’d be against Rizeena, My Titania and Miss France. I must be missing something in the form of the latter two fillies that others seem to be seeing.

Horrible, horrible race this term with more questions than snswers however have backed Amazing Maria at 14s

John has been bullish about MT for some time now.H is not a trainer to get overly enthusiastic about a horse.He just likes what MT has been doing at home.And he knows what is needed for a classic winner.Incidentally there are no freebies in racing.

Me thinks I have a gift!

To my mind, this has turned into an impossible race to resolve with any confidence, so I am going to go for a long shot. I do like Vorda as she showed great form a few times last year, but am really worried about her ability to stay the mile. The horse that she beat in the Cheveley Park, Princess Noor, has a decent chance. She was put away after that race, and there dont seem any stamina doubts like Vorda and one or two others, plus she is currently trading at 33/1 which is my kind of price.