I like being the underdog - Lavery relishing Lady Kaya's 1,000 Guineas mission

Sheila Lavery says she is feeling sick with excitement as stable star Lady Kaya is readied for a crack at the Qipco 1,000 Guineas a week on Sunday.

The daughter of Dandy Man finished second to Skitter Scatter in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes last season and is a top-priced 20-1 for the fillies' Classic at Newmarket following a winning reappearance at Leopardstown earlier in the month.

Lady Kaya, who is owned by the trainer's niece Joanne Lavery and was a €12,000 purchase as a yearling, is one of 24 hopefuls left in the race after Wednesday's forfeit stage.

Sheila Lavery said: "Lady Kaya came out of her Leopardstown race very well, I'm very happy with her, and she now heads to Newmarket. She'll be my first runner in a Classic and I’m just trying to get her there in one piece and trying not to think about it too much – if I do it makes me feel physically ill!

1,000 Guineas card

"I like being the underdog and I think she's a wonderful story for racing. She was very inexpensive and it shows there's a dream out there for everyone, everyone can buy the dream, and for Joanne it has come true."

She added: "It will without doubt be the biggest moment of my training career and, without sounding big-headed, I've never been one to be scared by the opposition, as you just never know."

Nell Gwyn winner Qabala heads the 1,000 Guineas betting at a general 7-2.

Persian King stays at home

The Andre Fabre-trained Persian King was not among the forfeits for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas as 31 colts stood their ground.

Ten Sovereigns (near): favourite for the 2,000 GuineasCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Trainer Andre Fabre had indicated at the weekend Persian King, who was as short as 5-1 for the 2,000 Guineas, was much more likely to contest the French equivalent, and his absence leaves Ten Sovereigns as the general 3-1 market leader.

Richard Hannon won the 2,000 Guineas with 40-1 shot Night Of Thunder in 2014 and has three outside chances with King Of Change, Urban Icon and Walkinthesand.

Hannon said: "Coming into the 2,000 Guineas rather under the radar doesn’t bother me at all.

"King Of Change really impressed us at Nottingham and has always been held in high regard, though running in the Guineas will be a big step up for him.

"Urban Icon came out of the Greenham absolutely fine and if he gets the fast ground that he needs I can see him running a really big race. Walkinthesand will improve for his excellent run in the Feilden and dropping him back to a mile won’t be a problem."

The trainer added: "All three will do their final pieces of work at the weekend and we will make a decision afterwards about how many to run."

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