“He looked fantastic before the race at Ascot and he'd been in really good form at home, so it wasn't a shock to see him run a big race, though I was a little surprised he won it! It was certainly a nice surprise and it's a great credit to the horse,” said Hills. “I've always maintained he's a Group class sprinter and his career shows that. He's won some really good races like the Stewards' Cup, King George and Palace House and obviously last time in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee at Ascot. He's a very good horse and we're looking forward to Saturday.”

Aidan O'Brien has recently warned Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) is only a “50-50” shot to take a chance at the Cup on July 15 after missing almost six days of cantering due to a foot bruise last week and that a decision will be made in the following couple days. The Ballydoyle master has not ruled out seeking a record-breaking sixth win in the contest with a daughter of No Nay Never, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf victress Meditate (Ire), who could be given one last chance to shine before retiring to stud.

“Little Big Bear is not definite to run as he had a foot bruise last week and he missed six days without doing any cantering. We might do something in the morning with him to see how he is and whether we decide to run him or not,” said O'Brien.

“We have to decide whether we are going to retire Meditate or not. It is very possible that she could retire. She is obviously in the July Cup and if Little Big Bear wasn't going to run we would give her a chance going back over six before she goes, as she is a filly that has a lot of speed and was always very comfortable going forward over six furlongs.”

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“He's a Dewhurst winner over seven furlongs and a multiple group-race winner over that distance, so hopefully that won't inconvenience him,” the operation's European racing manager Barry Mahon. “Oisin is a top-class rider and I'm sure he can jump into any situation and swim rather than sink. He knows the horse and has ridden him plenty at home, so I'm sure he'll be fine.”

Meditating On The Opposition

Aidan O'Brien collected 12 months ago with Tenebrism (Caravaggio), who was dropping back in trip after failing to land a blow in the 1000 Guineas and Coronation, but Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) has something to find attempting the same feat having been disappointing handed the run of the race at Royal Ascot. While she was taking a backward step at the Royal meeting, Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was seen going the other way as he worked into third in the St James's Palace. Of the French, TDN Rising Star Breizh Sky (Fr) (Pedro The Great) has outside claims based on his latest success in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac over this trip at his favoured ParisLongchamp but along with his course-and-distance G3 Prix Djebel conqueror Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) has a class gap to bridge to get to the standard of the overseas contingent.

All Eyes On Beauvatier

Deauville's major August festival is on the horizon and the scrimmaging for leading domestic juvenile is well underway, so the performance of the unbeaten TDN Rising Star Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure will be closely scrutinised. Having beaten the wide-margin G3 Prix du Bois winner Ramatuelle (Justify) in a six-furlong conditions event at Saint-Cloud in May, Philippe Allaire's representative is up in trip for the third time in three starts as he tackles a seventh here. Laying in wait is The  Aga Khan's 6 1/2-furlong ParisLongchamp winner Zabiari (GB) who looks to continue the golden run of Wootton Bassett (GB).

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Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the dual Group 1 winner captured both the Prix de Diane and Nassau S. after running third in the G1 Oaks at Epsom last term. A good second in the G1 Prix de l'Opera that October, she ended her season with a fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in the U.S. Now four, the Blue Diamond Stud homebred was fourth to Group 1 winner Above The Curve (American Pharoah) in the G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud in May, and improved to be second in the G3 Hoppings Fillies' S. at Newcastle at the end of June.

John Gosden, who also trains former Falmouth favourite and now G1 Sussex S.-bound Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), said, “We have supplemented her for the Falmouth. As you know, she has been very slow to come to hand this year. The race in France brought her on a bit. Again the other day, she probably went a little hard early, but didn't finish off.

“She is in great form and she needs racing, and we don't really want to be waiting from two weeks ago all the way to the Nassau S. So, it is close to home and she's in great form and I don't think she'll have any problem with the mile.”

Last week's G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Via Sistina (Ire) (Fasnet Rock {Aus}) is one of nine signed on to face Nashwa for trainer George Boughey, while Ralph Beckett's G1 Coronation S. runner-up Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) will carry new silks in the Newmarket showpiece having been purchased by Wathnan Racing. Aidan O'Brien will likely saddle both Breeders' Cup winner Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) and G1 Prix de Diane second Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

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Little Big Bear, who became the latest in a line of his stable's big guns to miss a beat in the 2000 Guineas, may actually get a mile in time but while he is so comfortable at these sprint trips and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) is around it is a case of back to basics. As he sauntered back to winning ways in the G2 Sandy Lane S., it was as if that dull day at Newmarket where his brilliance was diminished never happened. Intriguingly, it was an experience shared with his key opponent and fellow TDN Rising Star Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who also struggled to cope with his speed edge bludgeoned by conditions on the Rowley Mile.

Sakheer's trainer Roger Varian was giving off all the right vibes on Thursday. “He looks like he could still be a high-class colt, we certainly believe he can be, and we're looking forward to Friday,” he said. “He had an easy time after the Guineas and we were always going to come to Ascot, but he's built up over the last few weeks into this race nicely, his work has been on point, he's been really well and we're hopeful.”

Newmarket woes also apply to the case of Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), who was among the backwash in the 1000 Guineas and now gravitates back to her comfort zone. She has to improve even off her G1 Cheveley Park S. win, which puts her on a virtual par with the now-retired Middle Park hero Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) who was always a few pounds adrift of Ballydoyle's champion last term. She and Sakheer are joined by the G2 Gimcrack S.-winning TDN Rising Star Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}), so disappointing behind the revelation Shaquille (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) in Newbury's Listed Carnarvon S. last time, in having a lot to find with an elite Little Big Bear but this is Royal Ascot where certainties have a way of unravelling.

The Gosdens showed on Wednesday and Thursday that they are never to be left out of the group 1 equation and despite her obvious experience deficit, Normandie Stud's TDN Rising Star Queen For You (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) goes into the Coronation which her dam Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) won in 2012 as very much a live contender. It's not just about pedigree with her, however, as her performance when narrowly denied by Sounds Of Heaven (GB) (Kingman {GB}) with the run of the race favouring that Jessie Harrington raider in York's Listed Michael Seely Memorial S. confirmed her as a major talent.

“She is the least experienced in the field, but improved when upped in class at York and has taken that in her stride,” Thady said. “This is another major step up, but we feel she has every right to take her chance.” Kate Harrington added of Sounds Of Heaven, “She is lovely filly and a very underestimated filly who only does as much as she has to. She has a great mind and I think Ascot will really suit her. We're hopeful of a big, big run.”

In the opening G3 Albany S., the Crisfords' impressive Doncaster maiden winner Carla's Way (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) will have an abundance of followers now that the time performance of that defeat of the subsequent 11-length-winning TDN Rising Star Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) is known. Lezoo's half-sister Navassa Island (Ire) (Territories {Ire}), now the property of Ecurie Ama Zingteam, also wowed with her sectionals despite going down to the re-opposing Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) on a spectacular debut in Naas's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S.

TDN Rising Stars Matrika (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Persian Dreamer (Calyx {GB}) are just two more in the mix in the Albany, which for the past three years has featured the following season's 1000 Guineas heroine in the beaten trio Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) and Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Interestingly, the Newmarket maiden taken by Mawj and Cachet prior to meeting their match here was won last month by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Jabaara (Ire), another daughter of Exceed And Excel with big hopes attached. “She will like the fast ground if it stays that way and six furlongs looks her trip for the moment,” Varian said. “She's an exciting filly, I think.”

Amo Racing broke their duck at the Royal meeting on Thursday and the racing and operations manager Tom Pennington is excited about their representative here. “I haven't lost any faith in Persian Dreamer, she was very impressive on debut,” he said. “The sharp five furlongs on quick ground at York in the Marygate has probably played against her and she didn't let herself down. She's a big, strong filly and just didn't enjoy the ground.”

In the day's other pattern race, the presence of Amo Racing's Derby runner-up King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) has ensured a small line-up, with a trio of Derby disappointments engaged headed by Juddmonte's Arrest (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Jeff Smith's Artistic Star (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Roger Varian is keen to come back quickly from the Blue Riband, the form of which received a major boost with the win of Waipiro (Ire) (Australia {GB}) here on Thursday. “He has looked great from the day he got back from Epsom and is in good form,” he said. “He looked very good in defeat and that bodes well for this week, the rest of the season and beyond hopefully. These races are not easy to win, but he looks like a horse who will take us to the big spots and we look forward to Friday.”

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So impressive when taking the G1 Moyglare S. here in September, the TDN Rising Star was quicker away here than in the 1000 Guineas and able to draft in behind Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) and that runner's stablemate and pacemaker Dower House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Delivered by Chris Hayes to tackle Meditate approaching the furlong pole, the 2-5 favourite asserted to confirm the Moyglare form by 1 1/2 lengths, with Jim Bolger's 150-1 shot Comhra (Ire) (Vocalised) a strong-closing head away in third.

Weld said, “She was in a pocket, but when you have a very good horse they have the pace to get out of that pocket. I was always comfortable.

“The plan was to hold on to her and ride her for speed. My only concern was whether she would let herself down on the quick ground. They have done a good job here.

“We'll see how she comes out of this race and obviously we will think about the Coronation S.”

The Aga Khan's daughter, Princess Zara, was in attendance to witness Tahiyra secure a commanding success. Her brown and green silks were also carried by the fourth,  Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal), who supplied Weld with a one-four in the race. 

Princess Zara said, “She was very brave and she kept at it and won beautifully. Looking at what she did today, and Paddington yesterday, I think we have a good set of Guineas there. To have a homebred like this is lovely to see.”

Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud, echoed the sentiments of Princess Zara and lauded the Haras de Bonneval-based Siyouni. 

He said, “These are the kind of results that a stallion needs to achieve to be put in the elite bracket worldwide. They are two very big wins for the horse this weekend and he's just a very good stallion, we knew that already, but they have to keep on producing these big results to maintain their elite bracket status. Thankfully, this has been a great weekend for Siyouni.”

Tahiyra is a Classic winner! She lands the @tatts_ireland 1000 Guineas for Dermot Weld & @chrishayes24 with a dominant performance @curraghrace @AgaKhanStuds

Four runs
Three wins
G1 Irish 1000 Guineas
G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes
G1 English 1000 Guineas pic.twitter.com/8I9JRZMHig

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 28, 2023

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Ready For Remarquee

   Newbury's ground for the G3 Fred Darling S. was worse than it is here, so Julian Richmond-Watson's Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) comes into play particularly as she is bred to stay at least this mile and probably further. From the family of the Oaks heroine Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) and the G1 Prix Royal Oak winner Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the homebred has enjoyed the injection of pace that Kingman provides and looks a deadly proposition here. “She didn't really get the run of the race and Rob [Hornby] dropped his stick with half a furlong to run, yet she still won with one ear pricked, having wandered around. She'll have learned a lot,” trainer Ralph Beckett said. “We've been here before, having won a few Fred Darlings, and it can be tough getting a filly back in time for the Guineas but all of the signs are good. She didn't have a hard race and I'm very happy with her.”

Loaded Amo

Amo Racing's season has started with a bang and their G3 Nell Gwyn S. winner Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was the main contributor as she dominated the G3 Nell Gwyn S. here last month. Richard Hannon has either been the name next to or been directly involved with the winner of this twice in the last 10 years and racing and operations manager Tom Pennington is hoping it can be three. “She goes there having won twice at the track and some experts have said she is not going to get the trip, but I disagree,” he said. “She's a relaxed and laid-back filly and I really don't see the mile being an issue.”

Second behind her in the Nell Gwyn was the solid Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but it has been clear for a while that Charlie Appleby's number one is Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal).

Lively Longshots

Anybody who witnessed the G2 May Hill S. success of Polly Pott (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) at Doncaster in September will remember how effective she is on rain-softened ground and it may be that her subsequent fourth to Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Fillies' Mile here was one run too many. Now with Ben Pauling, she rates as having a genuine squeak along with Jaber Abdullah's Listed Star S. winner Dance In The Grass (GB) (Cracksman {GB}) and Hunscote Stud's Listed Montrose Fillies' S. scorer Caernarfon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) who will both relish the ground.

Mick Channon made an instant impact in his training career, but missed out on Guineas success a few times so it would be fitting if his son Jack could land one on his first attempt. “She is in great form and trained really well all winter and her work, touch wood, has been perfect,” he said of Caernarfon. “I think we've got her exactly where we want her and it will be down to simply whether she is good enough now. She had a decent amount of experience as a 2-year-old, she won over course and distance last time and she is not a filly who is too hard to get fit.”

Time For Adayar

Following the romp of Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) on Friday, Godolphin's other star Frankel Adayar (Ire) also comes to the Rowley Mile for the rescheduled G3 Gordon Richards S. lost from Sandown last week. The 2021 Derby and King George hero is up against Shadwell's G2 Prix Dollar winner Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) as he would have been last Friday, but also White Birch Farm's unbeaten and unexposed Francesco Clemente (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Charlie Appleby also saddles two in the Listed Pretty Polly S., with William Buick on the impressive Southwell novice scorer Queen Of Fairies (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), and last year's winner of that Oaks trial With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G2 Dahlia S. Already successful in the G2 Cape Verdi and G2 Balanchine in 2023, she is back from an encounter with the high-class In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley S. and has it easier here despite carrying three pounds more than her rivals. She is joined by last year's G1 Falmouth S. heroine Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and fellow Godolphin representative and TDN Rising Star Life In Motion (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), another of Andre Fabre's keenly-aimed arrows at a race he has won twice since 2014 at the track he loves.

“With The Moonlight came back from Keeneland in great order and is a rock-solid filly,” Appleby said. “Nine furlongs is a perfect distance for her and she should be a big player, even with her penalty, providing the ground doesn't get too testing.”

London Calling

With Aidan O'Brien relying solely on Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the 1000 Guineas, Wayne Lordan stays at Leopardstown to take the mount on the stable's TDN Rising Star Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Derby Trial S. The full-brother to Capri (Ire) did everything the wrong way round in the G2 Champions Juvenile S. when last seen here in September and looks a stronger candidate than the yard's G3 Prix Noailles fourth Londoner (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Both have a high bar to reach to get to the G1 Criterium International winner Proud And Regal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the G3 Ballysax S. runner-up Up And Under (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) adds further intrigue in another O'Brien-dominated Classic trial.

“We're not 100% sure what his trip is going to be, whether he will be a 10- or 12-furlong horse or maybe even he drops back to a mile, but it is great to get him started,” Donnacha said of Proud And Regal. “The hope is that he becomes a Derby horse, that's the dream, but I guess we will find out more on Sunday. If he goes and wins well, we will for sure have to have a look at Epsom, but if he didn't we may have to alter our plans.”

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   Will His Highness The Aga Khan's explosive G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Tahiyra build on her brilliance from last autumn, or will the Coolmore partners' Meditate consolidate her Breeders' Cup victory in Classic fashion? An even score of fillies test their mettle on the Rowley Mile, and with the changeable weather, it is anyone's guess who will emerge triumphant.

CAERNARFON (GB), Cityscape (GB)–Royal Ffanci (GB) (Royal Applause {GB})
Owner: Hunscote Stud, P Humphreys & J Sweeney
Breeder: Hunscote Stud
Trainer: Jack Channon
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Brother to Dan's Dream, who recorded Group 3 success for this stable as a 2-year-old. Lively outsider.

DANCE IN THE GRASS (GB), Cracksman (GB)–Dance The Dream (GB) (Sir Percy {GB})
Owner: Jaber Abdullah
Breeder: Minster Stud And Mrs H Dalgety
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Sales History: 57,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: First foal out of the listed-placed Dance The Dream, who is a full-sister to smart juvenile hurdler Knight Salute (GB). Family goes back to Cheshire Oaks winner Shadow Dancing (GB) (Unfuwain). Failed to build on her initial promise at two when well-beaten in a pair of Group 2 contests but could out-run her odds.

DREAM OF LOVE (IRE), Shamardal–Secret Gesture (Galileo {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Boasts one of the strongest pedigrees in the race being a daughter of Oaks runner-up and Group 2 winner Secret Gesture. Half-sister to Final Gesture (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), an impressive winner of a 1m6f listed race on debut for Paddy Twomey, and Silent Wave (GB) (War Front), placed in a listed contest over five furlongs. Beaten by Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) when last seen in Dubai but the choice of William Buick.

EMBRACE (IRE), Lope De Vega (Ire)–Whazzis (GB) (Desert Prince {Ire})
Owner: Ahmad Alkhallafi
Breeder: New England Stud & Mount Coote Stud
Trainer: Owen Burrows
Sales History: 70,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Related to lots of winners. Dam won a Group 3 in Italy for William Haggas and is a half-sister to Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), notably the producer of James Garfield (Ire). Tendency to race keenly but shaped as though improvement likely on seasonal return at Newbury when flashing home for fourth in a Group 3.

FAIRY CROSS (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Devonshire (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Third foal out of Group 2 winner Devonshire, whose dam showed plenty of speed albeit in handicaps. Dream Of Love appears the stable's first choice on jockey bookings.

KARSAVINA (GB), Ulysses (Ire)–Osipova (GB) (Makfi {GB})
Owner/Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud
Trainer: Clive Cox
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to Positive (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), a Group 3 winner for this stable. Dam a half-sister to Group 3 winner Zonderland (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and out of a sister to the listed-placed Safina (GB) (Pivotal). Over four lengths to make up on Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) on their Nell Gwyn clash last month.

LEZOO (GB), Zoustar (Aus)–Roger Sez (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire})
Owner: Marc Chan & Andrew Rosen
Breeder: Chasemore Farm
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Sales History: 77,000gns Tattersalls October Book 3 yearling; €110,000 Arqana Breeze-Up 2-year-old
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to three winners. Dam was a speedy performer herself and landed a Group 3 over six furlongs. That is the main question mark hanging over Lezoo here–her ability to see out the mile, given her best form was recorded over sprint trips as a 2-year-old.

MAMMAS GIRL (GB), Havana Grey (GB)–Mamma Morton (Ire) (Elnadim)
Owner: Amo Racing Limited
Breeder: Robert Cornelius
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Sales History: £35,000 buy at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to black-type performers Master Of War (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) and Life In Colour (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) out of prolific producer Mamma Morton who is out of the G1 French 1000 Guineas third Gharam (Green Dancer). Entered the picture for this race when posting a hugely-impressive performance to win the Nell Gwyn. Leading player.

G3 Winner for HAVANA GREY

Wow How impressive was that!?

MAMMAS GIRL cements herself as a high-class 3yo with a top performance in the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes @NewmarketRace on only her second start!

Congratulations to all connections!

pic.twitter.com/ouoYi1MAQo

— Whitsbury Manor Stud (@WhitsburyManor) April 19, 2023

MATILDA PICOTTE (IRE), Sioux Nation–Hallie's Comet (Ire) (One Cool Cat)
Owner: Matilda & Kilmichael Racing Partnership
Breeder: Mighty Universe Ltd
Trainer: Kieran Cotter
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to four individual winners, none of which were any superstars, but the dam was group-placed over six furlongs as a 2-year-old and managed to win over a mile later in her career. Matilda Picotte emerged with plenty of credit from her G3 1000 Guineas Trial second when failing to get home on heavy ground having raced a bit keen on the front end. Must have big each-way claims if settling better off this stronger pace which is likely.

MAWJ (IRE), Exceed And Excel (Aus)–Modern Ideal (GB) (New Approach {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to G1 French 2000 Guineas winner and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Mile scorer Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and classy performer Modern News (GB) (Shamardal). Beat Lezoo here in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. last season and has already had a good year by winning back-to-back conditions races in Dubai.

MEDITATE (IRE), No Nay Never–Pembina (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire})
Owner: M Tabor, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg
Breeder: Lynch-Bages & Rhinestone Bloodstock
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Sales History: €360,000 Arqana August yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Well-related to the nth degree, several of her relatives have been placed in this fillies' Classic, with Daban (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and Hathrah (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}) both third in 2017 and 2004, respectively. The only filly in the field with four graded/group wins, the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine will be tough to beat.

NAOMI LAPAGLIA (GB), Awtaad (Ire)–Hawaafez (GB) (Nayef)
Owner: Edward Babington & Phil Cunningham
Breeder: Shadwell Estate Company Ltd.
Trainer: Richard Spencer
Sales History: 2,000gns Tattersalls December foal
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A half-sister to the stakes-winning and dual Group 3-placed Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), this filly is distant kin to Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire]). Although she does hold a victory over the mile trip, Naomi Lapaglia's win was over the Kempton synthetic in her lone start to date.

OLIVIA MARALDA (IRE), Kodiac (GB)–Yajala (GB) (Fasliyev)
Owner: Amo Coutinho Syndicate
Breeder: Tally-Ho Stud
Trainer: Roger Varian
Sales History: 460,000gns Tattersalls Craven 2-year-old
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: One of three black-type horses out of the stakes-placed Yajala, Olivia Maralda is a half-sister to stakes winner Evil Spell (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). She was second in the G2 Debutante by less than a length to Meditate, but it remains to be seen whether her progression has continued at three.

OLIVIA MARALDA is all class @NewburyRacing under a confident ride from @Rossaryan15. Very well done to trainer @MDOCallaghan #winning #Amo #Coutinho pic.twitter.com/04I9K8DaGJ

— Amo Racing Ltd (@amoracingltd) July 21, 2022

POLLY POTT (GB), Muhaarar (GB)–Must Be Me (GB) (Trade Fair {GB})
Owner: The Megsons
Breeder: Biddestone Stud Ltd.
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Sales History: 21,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: From the family of G1 Sussex S. hero Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), the bay is the fourth foal of her dam. A consistent sort, the G2 May Hill S. heroine should have no problem with the distance, as she makes her first start for Ben Pauling.

POWERDRESS (IRE), Dandy Man (Ire)–Nuclear Option (Ire) (Frozen Power {Ire})
Owner: Martin Hughes
Breeder: Milestream Stud Company Ltd.
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Sales History: €29,000 Goffs November foal; £130,000 Goffs UK Premier yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Her biggest claim to fame is her fourth dam, American Horse of the Year All Along (Fr) (Targowice). Yet to face stakes company, this maiden winner faces an uphill battle.

QUEEN ME (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Queen Kindly (GB) (Frankel {GB})
Owner: Jaber Abdullah
Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd.
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Out of the G2 Lowther S. heroine Queen Kindly, her second dam Lady Of The Desert (Rahy) claimed three group races and was placed three times at the highest level over sprint trips. Should finish in the top half of the field.

REMARQUEE (GB), Kingman (GB)–Regardez (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB})
Owner: J H Richmond-Watson
Breeder: Lawn Stud
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Like Tahiyra yet to taste defeat, Remarquee is the fourth foal produced by American stakes winner Regardez, who ran third at Grade/Group 3 level thrice. Both of the Lawn Stud-bred's victories have occurred over seven furlongs, and if the cards fall just right, she could grab a piece of the Classic pie.

“It's very exciting to have a filly as good as this.”

Will Remarquee provide her connections with more Classic glory in Sunday's QIPCO 1000 Guineas?

@NewmarketRace | @RalphBeckett

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 2, 2023

STENTON GLIDER (IRE), Dandy Man (Ire)–Crystal Malt (Ire) (Intikhab)
Owner: Mrs J Mairs & T S Mairs
Breeder: Laurence Kennedy
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Sales History: £35,000 Tattersalls Ireland September yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The second foal out of her dam, a granddaughter of G3 May Hill S. winner Solar Crystal (Ire) (Alzao). She was only a neck behind Remarquee in the G3 Fred Darling S., and could improve yet again.

SWEET HARMONY (IRE), No Nay Never–Last Waltz (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire})
Owner: Phil Cunningham
Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd.
Trainer: Richard Spencer
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A maiden winner, the bay is the second produce of Memories Of Silver S. second and G3 Weld Park S. third Last Waltz. Also related to G1 Lockinge S. winner Keltos (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}), this affair looks a stiff ask.

TAHIYRA (IRE), Siyouni (Fr)–Tarana (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: HH Aga Khan
Breeder: His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs S C
Trainer: Dermot Weld
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine is the third foal out of her dual stakes-winning dam who was also third in the G3 Curragh Cup over 1 3/4 miles. Tarana has already thrown transatlantic heavy weight and Breeders' Cup heroine Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal). Thanks to the storms making their way through the region, her chances of success have only increased, as her Moyglare victory was accomplished in soft ground.

QIPCO 1000 Guineas runners:

Caernarfon
Dance In The Grass
Dream Of Love
Embrace
Fairy Cross
Karsavina
Lezoo
Mammas Girl
Matilda Picotte
Mawj
Meditate
Naomi Lapaglia
Olivia Maralda
Polly Pott
Powerdress
Queen Me
Remarquee
Stenton Glider
Sweet Harmony
Tahiyra pic.twitter.com/1CBo6AlRdm

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 5, 2023

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The post Tahiyra Heads Field Of 20 For Newmarket’s 1000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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A winner of four of his six starts, the G1 Dewhurst S. hero is one of two in the one-mile race for Andrew Balding. Second in the Dewhurst, G2 Richmond S. scorer Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) will attempt to turn the tables for Mrs. Fitri Hay and trainers Paul and Oliver Cole.

Ahmad Al Shaikh's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Dubai Mile (Ire) (Roaring Lion) remains in the race for Charlie Johnston, as do the Godolphin/Charlie Appleby pair of G2 Gimcrack S. winner Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

The Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien field a quintet led by Group 1 scorers Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never). G3 Killavullan S. hero Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road) is also signed on, as is G3 2000 Guineas Trial S. winner Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Third behind Auguste Rodin and Tuesday's Listed Weatherbys Digital Solutions Blue Riband Trial hero Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in the Vertem Futurity Trophy, Holloway Boy (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) is one of three in the race for Karl Burke. Burke runner Indestructible (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who won the G3 Craven S. over the course-and-distance of the Guineas, will also take part. Group winners Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) hail from the stable of Roger Varian.

There is also still a chance of a royal runner, as the King and Queen Consort's two-for-two Slipofthepen (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has also retained his entry for John and Thady Gosden.

In the fillies' equivalent on Sunday, May 7, 26 nominees have stood their ground, among them Group 1 winners Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), and Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) for trainers Ralph Beckett, Aidan O'Brien, and Dermot Weld, respectively.

Beckett has also entered G3 Fred Darling S. heroine Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}), while Hugo Palmer trains the runner-up in Stenton Glider (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). Juddmonte's Juliet Siera (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), a Group 3 winner, is also part of Beckett's Guineas challenge.

The first and second-place finishers from the G3 Nell Gwyn S. also have entries in Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) for Richard Hannon and Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Charlie Appleby. Saeed bin Suroor's G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. heroine and G1 Cheveley Park S. third Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) has been entered. G2 May Hill S. heroine Polly Pott (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) for trainer Ben Pauling is also part of the fray.

O'Brien is double-fisted in the Guineas, as his G3 1000 Guineas Trial S. victress Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) defeated Kieran Cotter's Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) by 2 1/2 lengths at Leopardstown earlier this month.

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Charlie Appleby and his team, moreover, will be perfectly aware that others must be expected in future. Before the afternoon was out, indeed, their second runner had been thwarted in a desperate finish by their rivals at Ballydoyle. By barely a nose, then, Appleby was denied a fifth win from five consecutive Breeders' Cup starters–and duly found himself stranded on “just” seven winners overall from 13 runners. One day he will have to sit down and ask himself what on earth went wrong with the other six.

In the meantime, his record suggests a nearly surreal immunity to the trademark hazards of this business. Remember that last year he even achieved the memorable paradox of winning with a horse that had been scratched. And whether or not he can maintain the Midas touch on Saturday, or in future years, Appleby will surely never forget a moment that beautifully condensed his Breeders' Cup journey to this point.

That came after the GI Juvenile Turf Sprint when William Buick, having picked off his rivals from last place with nearly mechanical dash, in turn began plucking cremon yellows from the blanket over the withers of Mischief Magic (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and throwing them into the air as they were led into the winner's circle. The flowers floated down out of the blue like autumn leaves and, strewn in the wake of the horse, were trampled into the dirt track as though their path was literally paved with gold.

And, to a degree, that was the case for all three European winners on a card that nowadays plays very congenially to their strengths. The expansion of the turf program at the Breeders' Cup may have terminally eroded international competition on dirt, to the extent that Arazi–author of the most memorable juvenile performance in the history of this meeting–would nowadays almost certainly have stuck to the grass. Whether that amounts to a net loss or gain is a debate for another day. As it was, with a fairly seamless climate further conspiring in their cause, all three races on “the weeds” were duly harvested by the two great powerhouses of the European Turf.

They had claimed one apiece, Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) picking up the gauntlet from Mischief Magic in the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf, until squaring up for a decider in the GI Juvenile Turf. Aidan O'Brien and his Ballydoyle team doubtless felt that they were overdue a break, if only in terms of their rivalry at this carnival, and it duly came as Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) stole a decisive march on Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) after both had been craving the first split.

O'Brien has ample mitigation in hardly matching Appleby's ratio across a much longer history at this meeting, not least in having sometimes brought horses here as a speculative postscript to a long season in Europe. Appleby, conversely, was fortunate to launch his career even as the turf program was opening up, and quickly learned to target specific types at a vulnerable sector of the American talent pool.

All the same his staggering record here is, of course, but one dimension of the way Appleby has turned round the fortunes of his stable after his predecessor had brought it to a humiliating nadir. No need to dwell on that, now, but it is worth reminding ourselves that his promotion from anonymity, to many, had seemed a rather stubborn reaction to the bitter crisis of 2013. Appleby had learned his vocation almost exclusively within the stable, and the Sheikh's solution represented a striking vote of confidence in the ability of his team to regroup.

Nobody should be deceived that there was any complacency in the camp. After this latest vindication of Appleby's appointment, however, Godolphin managing director Hugh Anderson stressed that it did not really appear a gamble at the time. For one thing, everyone could see that this was an exceptional horseman. Barely less important, however, was the sense that the young man's innate modesty was shored up by attributes tailormade for such onerous responsibility. Anderson speaks of his “unflappable” temperament, of an “eternally cheerful” outlook and, above all, an exemplary touch with his staff.

So it is that he has arrived here having retained the trainers' championship, those laurels this time being shared by Buick. Besides their talent, both are united by an understated sense that the best way to manifest their gratitude for opportunities received is via deeds rather than words.

It was characteristic, as such, that Buick was so reluctant to accept much personal credit for what appeared, on the face of it, a really flamboyant ride on Mischief Magic. Appleby, who has developed such an acute instinct for the type of horse best adapted to the hustle and bustle of the racing environment over here, had been confident that it would really stimulate Mischief Magic. Sure enough, Buick could even be seen taking a pull at the reins as his mount surged through the traffic turning in. By Buick's own account, however, the horse had made all the decisions for him: unable to go the early pace, he began to engage even as the pace told on the leaders, and then switched leads with alacrity to settle the issue. The way the pair sidestepped their way through, nimbly moving in and out, seemed to obey a choreography as inexorable as a country dance.

A footnote of congratulation, by the way, to connections of runner-up Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}). They were deflated by Mischief Magic's astonishing late pounce, but with a filly this Grade I placing was a huge “win” all day long—and a fine piece of training.

But the man of the day was O'Brien, adding another increment to the legacy he has long been creating for the breed. With America waiting to anoint a horse with greatness after six career starts, let's remember the collective debt of future breeders to the regime developed between O'Brien and his patrons. Ballydoyle horses have their potential and genetic wares “proved” in a way today wholly unfathomable to most horsemen this side of the water.

Meditate was a natural, winning on debut on Apr. 10. She completed a hat-trick at Royal Ascot, while this was her third Group 1/Grade I start of the autumn. Victoria Road, conversely, has been one of those O'Brien projects where you see a horse learn with each rite of racetrack passage: though up and running in May, he took five attempts to break his maiden before the bulb really switched on.

For all his mastery, O'Brien has always shown a nearly pathological dread of vanity. They may serve very different masters, who set their different agendas in camps far apart, but the two trainers who dominated proceedings here on the turf are united by a scrupulous and authentic emphasis on teamwork.

True, one might doubt whether both would share too earnestly the curious tradition, unique in the racing year, that they have travelled here in common cause, as members of “Team Europe”. Be that is it may, however, this was a day when all Europeans could agree that the grass really is greener on the other side.

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