Homecoming Queen causes upset in trial
Report: Leopardstown, Sunday
Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 7f, 3yo
HOMECOMING QUEEN caused an upset in the Classic trial, making every yard of the running before finding extra close home to deny hot favourite Fire Lily.
The winner, entered in both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas, returned at 8-1 with Fire Lily filling the runner-up spot as the 7-4 favourite. Up, sent off at 9-2, was back in third.
The winner was one of four runners representing Aidan O'Brien but late support suggested she wasn't completely unfancied.
After setting a decent pace under Colm O'Donoghue, she looked likely to pay for her early efforts as her rivals queued up to make their challenge.
However, she found plenty for pressure and even when joined by Fire Lily had enough in reservesto to keep that rival at bay.
Up, who was beaten at odds-on her return last month, ran an eyecatching race from well off the pace but never looked like getting on terms with the front pair under Joseph O'Brien.
Of the winner, O'Brien said: "She’s a hardy little filly and improved nicely from her first run at the Curragh. They have been improving from their first runs and she'll go into one of the Guineas now."
Boylesports reacted to the win by introducing Homecoming Queen into the Qipco 1,000 Guineas betting at 25-1 and make her a 33-1 for the Oaks.
The same firm also make Fire Lily a 25-1 shot for the Newmarket Classic.
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