Typically open 1,000 Guineas could have a surprise or two in store

It is a trick of the eye to imagine the 1,000 Guineas looks bereft without Inspiral, the winter favourite who was ruled out earlier in the week.

While the absence of last year's top juvenile filly will naturally be felt, the 1,000 Guineas these days does not typically follow the pattern of the colts' equivalent in producing hotpot after hotpot. The last odds-on favourite was Rainbow View in 2009, since when there have been three odds-on shots run in the 2,000 Guineas – plus even-money St Nicholas Abbey.

Open runnings of the fillies' Classic are commonplace. Three of the 12 favourites since Rainbow View have gone off as big as 9-2.
The reason for this is often down to people, rather than horses. Fillies that make the track are more self-selecting – had the well-bred Native Trail been a filly he might never have raced – but once they are there the approach becomes much more try and see.