QIPCO 1000 Guineas – Rhododendron heads a field of 14 runners for Sunday’s fillies Classic
Aidan O'Brien's filly was an impressive winner of the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket when last seen back in October and she is the favourite to land Sunday's Classic
ANTE-POST favourite Rhododendron stars in a field of 14 delcared for Sunday's QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Aidan O'Brien's filly shot to the top of the betting after her win in the Fillies' Mile last year.
"Rhododendron is a very nice filly and she won the Fillies' Mile well last year," he said.
"She got a mile well as a two-year-old last year so you would imagine she'll get a good bit further this year.
"She's in good form, she's a clear-winded, good-minded filly and we think she's straightforward enough to ride.
"We've been happy with her since last year and physically she's done very well."
O'Brien is aiming for a fourth success in the one-mile Classic and also saddles Hydrangea and Winter.
His son Joseph will be looking to get one over his father as he runs Intricately.
John Gosden has Nell Gwyn winner Daban, who has been in good form since her win at Newmarket.
Gosden said: "She handled Newmarket well and she has come out of her trial very well. I'm very happy with her. There is a lot more mentally to come and she will come on for that race.
"It looks like an exciting race and we've got all the respect in the world for Rhododendron, obviously, as she comes with the solid form."
Roger Charlton runs Frankel filly Fair Eva who tackles the Guineas on her seasonal reappearance.
Charlton said: "From the moment she came here she caught the eye, she's very agile.
"She was very impressive in the Princess Margaret and at that stage it looked pretty good. In the Lowther she never really got into it, but York can be like that.
"I was disappointed in the Rockfel as her work had been good and the form book suggested she should win. She never actually looked like winning, but there were no excuses.
"She did grow, though, and maybe she shouldn't have run, maybe it was one race too many, we just don't know.
"We know that her form lines are good enough and I just didn't think she needed to do a trial to prove or not prove, so we have to wait for the big day.
"We need a Classic winner here, to be fair we haven't had that many runners in either Guineas, but we've got a chance this year and we're doing everything to make sure all the I's are dotted."
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Newmarket maiden winner Talaayeb has strong claims and will be out to give her jockey Jim Crowley his first Classic win.
Trainer Owen Burrows said: "She was an exciting prospect even before she got to the racecourse, though I must admit I was slightly surprised when she won her maiden at quite how well she did it.
"I couldn't tell you what her best trip will be until we see more of her on the track, and she is entered in both the English and Irish Oaks as well as the Ribblesdale. She does not look slow and has got gears, but she is bred to get a bit further than a mile.
"Fast ground will be perfect for her, so I am chuffed to bits that is what we seem likely to get on Saturday."
Unforgetable Filly, Poet's Vanity, Dream Start, Ce La Vie, Kilmah and Urban Fox complete the field.