Architect Tips picks the winner and his best value each-way bet among 16 declared for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.
1000 Guineas
The second of the two British Classics this weekend is the 1000 Guineas.
Karl Burke’s Moyglare Stud Stakes winner, Fallen Angel, is the current favourite to win with the bookmakers, followed by Aidan O’Brien’s Ylang Ylang.
Here is a guide to each of the 16 runners declared for Sunday's race.
1000 Guineas Runners Guide
1. Cinderella’s Dream - 18/1
This daughter of Sharmadal is unbeaten in four starts, and she did very well to overcome and succeed in the Listed Jumeirah 1,000 Guineas at Meydan in March. Clearly, she’s a talented filly, so although improvement will be needed, she has more to come.
Mawj, who represents the same stable, won that race last year and went on to win an English Guineas, so it would be foolish to disregard the claims of this runner. She will be partnered by Mickael Barzalona.
2. Dance Sequence - 11/2
The leading hope for the boys in blue this year was last seen finishing a rallying neck second in the seven-furlong Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket. She won her first couple of starts at the same venue and did well to get as close as she did last time, given that plenty went wrong for her in the interim.
She hit the line strongly once she got into full stride, and the extra furlong can only bring about further improvement. She has leading credentials.
3. Darnation - 40/1
Progressed through the ranks last season, winning three on the trot, including Group 3 and Group 2 races at Goodwood and Doncaster. She wasn’t at her best when she was only fifth in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac in her final start of the campaign, having been sent off as the joint favourite.
However, the quick two-week turnaround and fast ground were probably to blame. If the ground were soft, she would have a place squeak at least, so she’s one to keep in mind. Her stabmate, Fallen Angel, is the stable's big hope for the race, though.
4. Elmalka - 25/1
This daughter of Kingman won decisively on her debut at Southwell and ran a cracker when third behind the unbeaten Folgaria in a Group 3 race at Newbury.
The manner in which she hit the line strongly suggested she was crying out for a step up in trip, and this stiff finish should play to her strengths. This race will require another jolt of improvement if she’s to play a prominent role in the finish, but she has serious potential and could make the frame.
5. Fallen Angel - 7/2
This daughter of Too Darn Hot has been the favourite for this race ever since her big success at the Curragh, when she was last spotted. She’s won three of her four starts and had the second favourite, Ylang Ylang, well beaten off when she won the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Trainer Karl Burke came close to winning this race six years ago with Laurens and must have every chance of going one place better with this filly, who is the one to beat.
6. Porta Fortuna - 18/1
Top-class daughter of Caravaggio, who developed into one of the best juveniles last season. She was unbeaten in her first three starts, including a win in the Albany Stakes prior to finishing second in the Phoenix Stakes, as well as finishing third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
She then gained her first win at the highest level when a commanding winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes at this course before stepping up to a mile for the first time at the Breeders’ Cup.
In that race, she only went down by just half a length to Chad Brown’s Hard To Justify in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and although this mile distance is completely different from Santa Anita, her form is rock-solid, she likes it here, and she must have excellent place credentials, at least if she stays.
7. Pretty Crystal - 16/1
Richard Fahey’s only representative did very well to take the scalp of Dance Sequence at this course last time out and could improve for the step up to a mile.
However, she was behind Porta Fortuna at Royal Ascot and has work to do in order to reverse the form. Her profile just doesn’t scream a potential Guineas winner, but good luck to her!
8. Ramatuelle - 8/1
French raiders are always worth a second look at Newmarket. This filly caught the eye when running on well to take second in a Group 3 race on her return at Deauville and will come on plenty for that outing.
In her previous start, she was only a neck behind the unbeaten Vandeek in the Group 1 Prix Morny in August when she finished second, and that is class form.
Her stamina has to be taken on trust, but trainer Christopher Head seems confident she can showcase her best form over the trip, and she has the qualities to really serve it up to the favourite.
9. Regal Jubilee - 33/1
Won two of her four starts and finished a place in front of Elmalka last time out when second to Folgaria. This daughter of Frankel has plenty more to offer and could outrun her odds given her attitude and tenacity. However, she has plenty to find with the main principles and is probably best watched.
10. Rolica - 66/1
Jane Chapple-Hyam had the runner-up in this race three years ago, so the fact she has supplemented this filly is interesting. She looked in need of the experience when she finished third on her debut before scoring at this course last time, but she is likely to be outclassed at this level.
11. Sacred Angel - 66/1
Charlie Johnston’s filly raised her game markedly after finishing third on her debut to win her next couple of starts. She was then aimed at the Group 1 Sumbe Prix Morny and ran well to finish fourth.
That proved to be no fluke, as she finished a close-up third in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes and hasn’t been seen since. She’s another who will be trying a mile for the first time, but she’s overpriced and won’t disgrace herself, even if she finds the trip too far.
12. See The Fire - 9/1
Bred to be useful being a daughter of Sea The Stars, and she made a winning debut on the other course here last August before chasing home Darnation in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes.
She then ran one more time last season and finished an eye-catching third in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile over course and distance when not far behind Ylang Ylang. She was actually the last horse off the bridle in that race, and this longer trip is sure to bring about improvement. There’s a lot to like about her chances.
13. Star Music - 80/1
Should improve from her recent comeback outing, but that was still disappointing as she trailed home in last place, and this is an even tougher race. She is probably one for a handicap down the line, but not for this task, for which she has no chance on a strict reading of her form.
14. Star Style - 25/1
Made a winning start at Newbury on heavy ground and could be anything. Her trainer has a good record in this contest, so even though this is a huge rise in grade, she has untapped potential and could outrun her odds. The RPR she achieved on her debut was very high for a newcomer, so we could be dealing with a top-class prospect. I can see her running very well.
15. Tamfana - 66/1
A winner of two of her four starts and was only half-a-length behind Ramatuelle on her return in a Group 3 last time out. She’s also proven herself over the trip, having won by nine lengths at Kempton in October. This is more demanding, but her handlers runners are always feared, and she’s another outsider that seems crazily overpriced.
16. Ylang Ylang - 4/1
Racing Lee's pick for the 1000 Guineas and the leading hope for Aidan O’Brien who bids for an eighth win in the race. This filly has won three of her five starts, and although she ran no sort of race when she finished last in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, she was last seen winning the Group 1 bet365 Fillies' Mile over this exact course and distance.
Given her trainer’s record in the race and her course form, she is worthy of respect and must be considered a major player.
1000 Guineas Tips & Predictions
FALLEN ANGEL (tipped at 7/2) has won three of her four starts and hit the line very strongly when taking the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes last time out. She’s the top-rated runner in the field and has plenty more to come, so Karl Burke’s filly is the one to beat.
Fallen Angel, 1pt WIN, 7/2
SACRED ANGEL (tipped at 66/1) is my each-way pick in the race. Charlie Johnston’s filly won twice last season, including a Group 3 race from the front at Ascot, and wasn’t beaten far in a pair of Group 1’s afterwards.
She could be even better over this longer distance and isn’t far behind those towards the top of the market, so her price is too big to ignore. I can see her exceeding her double-digit odds.
