As with the 2000 Guineas, the 1000 Guineas has had some big-priced outsiders win the event in recent years. Aidan O’Brien’s Homecoming Queen won the 2012 renewal of the race at 25/1, whilst the 2011 race went to Blue Bunting at 16/1.
In 2010 Sir Henry Cecil’s Jacqueline Quest was first past the post at 66/1 by a nose from Criquette Head-Maarek’s Special Duty. But the result was reversed in a stewards’ enquiry, giving the race to the French filly.
If Jacqueline Quest had kept the race it would have been Sir Henry’s first win in the Classic since Wince in 1999. The trainer has the current favourite for the 2013 Qipco 1000 Guineas in the shape of Hot Snap (5/2).
1000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Hot Snap: Unbeaten in two runs, Sir Henry Cecil’s filly moved to the head of the 1000 Guineas betting with a win in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket in April. She beat fellow 1000 Guineas entry Sky Lantern on that occasion.
Quoted on his website sirhenrycecil.com, Sir Henry believes: "The mile will suit her better and hopefully the experience of the Nell Gwyn will have brought her on. She is coming in her coat but will always be a very tall filly with plenty of bone (and) not over-robust.”
Just The Judge: Another unbeaten filly, with two wins over 7f at Newbury and a Group 2 victory in the Rockfel Stakes, also over 7f, at Newmarket (Rowley Mile) in October 2012. Has not had a preparation race, unlike some of her rivals, but connections were pleased with her final serious work out on Saturday 27 April.
What A Name: Trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, who won the 2000 Guineas with Makfi in 2010 at 33/1. What A Name won the Group 3 Priz La Rochette at Longchamp in September 2012 before putting up a very good performance against the colts when runner-up in heavy ground to Olympic Glory in the Group 1 Grand Criterium (Longchamp). Has had a run this season, winning the Group 3 Prix Imprudence (7f) at Maisons-Laffitte in early April.
Sky Lantern: Finished second to Hot Snap when favourite for the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting in April. Jockey Richard Hughes said firmer ground would suit the filly better and if the ground is firmer for the 1000 Guineas you might see a different result. Sky Lantern was also carrying a 3lb penalty that day for her Group 1 win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh (September 2012).
Moth: Aidan O’Brien’s filly was supplemented for the 1000 Guineas earlier this week, as she did not originally hold an entry for the Classic. She won a maiden race in good style over 7f at the Curragh in April and quickened well when asked, showing good speed. Paying the GB£ 30,000 to have her added to the line-up is some measure of the faith connections have in the filly.
