O'Brien hoping Tenebrism will stay as he bids to extend 1,000 Guineas dominance

Qipco 1,000 Guineas (Group 1) | 3yo fillies | 1m | ITV/RTV

Taking on Ballydoyle in the 1,000 Guineas is like facing Manchester City in the Etihad – victory is theoretically possible but recent history suggests that one of their expensive stars will see you off.

Aidan O'Brien has won it five times in the last six years and seven times overall. Nobody else currently training has taken it more than twice.

Another success would put him within touching distance of Robert Robson, the "Emperor of Trainers" who won this Classic nine times between 1818 and 1827 – when racing was less competitive and Tontine got the race on a walkover in 1825.

Even with a couple of recent withdrawals, things will be less straightforward for O'Brien today, though Tenebrism looks the one to beat after success in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes over six furlongs here in September.

The filly steps to a mile on just her third appearance but the trainer said: "We thought Tenebrism looked like she'd stay seven furlongs with the way she came home in last year's Cheveley Park Stakes, and if a filly looks like staying seven at two then you'd hope they'd have a good chance of getting a mile at three."

The biggest danger to an O'Brien filly is often another O'Brien filly and three of the trainer's last four winners beat a shorter-priced stablemate, which suggests that Tuesday should not be underestimated following her maiden success at Naas in March.

Tuesday: the mount of Frankie Dettori in Sunday's ClassicCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"We didn't think that Tuesday would be ready to run here after she won her maiden at Naas last month," O'Brien said. "She's made nice progress in the last few weeks, though, so we're happy to let her take her chance."

Classically bred

If you were relying solely on pedigree to find the 1,000 Guineas winner you would probably not look beyond Discoveries, who is an extraordinarily well-bred filly.

She is a sister to Alpha Centauri, a superstar three-year-old for Jessica Harrington and the Niarchos family in 2018 when she won four straight Group 1 races by an aggregate of nearly 15 lengths.

Half-sister Alpine Star was nearly as good and took the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot by more than four lengths in 2020.

The formbook makes just as strong a case as the stud book for Discoveries, who progressed with each of her four outings as a two-year-old and already has one over her elder siblings, neither of whom won in Group 1 company as a juvenile.

Discoveries wins the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes for trainer Jessica HarringtonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Discoveries beat Agartha in the top-level Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, where the good going was reckoned very much in her favour.

In the last seven years, Minding and Love have gone on from victories in the Moyglare to land the Guineas the following season.

Harrington said: "She's in great form and has done all her work in the lead up to the race really well. She seems to have done well through the winter and I'm expecting a big run. It looks an open Guineas and we're going there with a chance."

Twisting the knife

There is nothing worse than having your ante-post fancy ruled out late in the day – except when having the knife twisted by seeing a horse she had beaten win the race instead.

Those who backed long-time market leader Inspiral, who was withdrawn last weekend, will suffer that agony should Cachet give George Boughey the biggest winner of his training career on Sunday.

She was beaten nearly three lengths into third by Inspiral in the Fillies' Mile here last autumn, sandwiched by today's rivals Prosperous Voyage (second) and Wild Beauty (fifth).

Cachet, who was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar next time out, looked to have improved when landing the Nell Gwyn Stakes over seven furlongs at the course last month.

Boughey, who sent out his first runner only in 2019, said: "She's in super shape and looks noticeably tighter for the run. She's nicely drawn, the fancied horses seem to be close to her which is always an advantage.

"She couldn't have done it any better in the Nell Gwyn and William Buick didn't think she was all out to do it.

"She's got to have an each-way chance. She loves the track and likes the ground. There's a question mark about the mile but she's a lot stronger now."

William Buick and Cachet win the Nell Gwyn Stakes at NewmarketCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

What they say

David Egan, rider of Ameynah
She has done everything right so far. Her inexperience is one concern but the fact that her two runs previously have been on the Rowley Mile will be an asset. It's an open race with some of the leading fillies going elsewhere or missing the race altogether, which gives a filly like her a lively shot.

Rossa Ryan, rider of Hello You
She's in good order and I was very pleased with her in the Nell Gwyn. It was a trial and I'd be confident of beating the winner. Time will tell but I thought I had her held all the way to the furlong pole then I got tired.

Francis Graffard, trainer of Malavath
She has come forward plenty for her comeback run and I couldn't have the filly in better form. She's pretty versatile and adapts to anything. She has a great mind and we will discover whether she stays or not. Her way of going about things should help her and I think she should be there at the finish.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Prosperous Voyage
She's in good shape and I'm looking forward to running her. She likes it there and we're in a good place.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Wild Beauty
Wild Beauty is in great order and has come on for her seasonal return at Newbury. Stepping back up in trip is certainly going to suit and we are looking forward to seeing her run in a Classic. I think she has a live chance.

Andre Fabre, trainer of Zellie
She is okay. She is still a bit backward in her coat unfortunately but she's in very good shape and she's worked well. The possible rain won't do her any harm either. I think a mile suits her well.

Sunday's race previews:

1.50 Newmarket: Which two runners catch the eye for this competitive staying handicap?

2.25 Newmarket: Clarehaven and Gosden aim to chase down Pretty Polly record with Crenelle

3.00 Newmarket: Will the Dahlia Stakes produce another star-studded roster this season?

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