Prendergast expects big run from Aneen in Irish 1,000 Guineas

Kevin Prendergast is expecting a big run from Aneen when she reappears in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday.

Aneen, a general 14-1 shot, is a half-sister to Awtaad, who landed the Irish 2,000 Guineas for Prendergast and owner Hamdan Al Maktoum a year ago. She will attempt to give her trainer a third win in the race following Pidget in 1972 and Arctique Royale in 1981.

Aneen raced twice at two, easily landing a 7f maiden at the Curragh on her second start in October.

Prendergast said on Tuesday: "Aneen is going to run on Sunday and I expect her to run very well.

"The lack of a run isn't a concern as she's in very good form and has been working well. She was very unlucky first time out last season when she got into a lot of trouble at Leopardstown, before winning impressively at the Curragh."

Winter, the 1,000 Guineas winner, is one of eight fillies remaining in the race trained by Aidan O'Brien. The Newmarket winner, who is a best-priced 5-6 with BoyleSports and Betfair Sportsbook, will head the Ballydoyle team.

Rhododendron, runner-up to Winter at Newmarket, will not run despite being among a total of 13 left in at Tuesday's forfeit stage.

"We left Rhododendron in but she's going for the Investec Oaks," said O'Brien.

Rehana, winner of the Group 3 Athasi Stakes at Naas this month, will represent Michael Halford, who said: "She's fresh and well. The forecast is good – there's a drop of rain around at the weekend, but I'm hoping not too much.

"She handles good ground and even if it was good to firm it wouldn't bother her."

Rehana is second favourite at odds ranging from 9-2 to 11-2.

Rehana: 'She handles good ground and even if it was good to firm it wouldn't bother her'Credit: Patrick McCann

O'Brien accounts for six of the nine acceptors for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, with Churchill 4-11 to complete the Newmarket-Curragh Guineas double, a feat O'Brien has achieved with Rock Of Gibraltar, Henrythenavigator and Gleneagles.

Lancaster Bomber and Spirit Of Valor, fourth and eighth behind Churchill at Newmarket, are intended runners, but O'Brien indicated Orderofthegarter and War Decree could miss the race and run instead in the Prix du Jockey Club.

Thunder Snow, last seen when performing like a bucking bronco in the early stages of the Kentucky Derby, was confirmed a runner by trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.

He said on Tuesday: "Thunder Snow worked nicely on the Limekilns this morning and the plan is to take him to the Irish 2,000 Guineas. He seems in good form since his US trip and we think the track will suit him."

Minding heads six acceptors from Ballydoyle for Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup, in which she will be bidding for an eighth Group 1 win.

The ground at the Curragh on Tuesday was good, good to yielding in places on the straight course, and good on the round course. Mainly dry weather is forecast for the next few days.