Sunday's 1,000 Guineas Preview: Only 12 months after Attraction became the first filly to complete the Newmarket-Curragh 1,000 Guineas double, Virginia Waters is set to start favourite to do the same for Aidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon.
Officially Virginia Waters improved 18lb between her Leopardstown trial success in April and her Classic win earlier this month and if she can maintain that rate of development the others are scrapping for second.
That has to be doubtful, however, and there will be plenty willing to bet that the John Magnier colours will be carried more prominently by last year's top juvenile Damson.
A bad scope just days before the Guineas at Newmarket ruled Damson out and left Fallon free to team up with Virginia Waters. Jamie Spencer is back on the David Wachman-trained filly now, but the trainer admits Damson should improve for her first start of the season.
Saoire was a gamble at Newmarket, but of those that finished behind Virginia Waters that day it looks like Maids Causeway will again do best and this time she may even come out on top. Maids Causeway's connections, Barry and Michael Hills, won the race twice in the 90s with Hula Angel (1999) and Nicer (1993) and there is no doubt that Virginia Waters got the run of the race at Newmarket, arriving late off a hard pace. A more patiently ridden Maids Causeway looks a value bet to reverse it this time.
The Tattersalls Gold Cup is some competition for the Guineas in terms of anticipation, with last year's star Irish three-year-olds Azamour and Grey Swallow taking on the Arc winner Bago, who makes just a second appearance outside France.
Unlike his main competition, Bago has already run this year and picked up the Group One Prix Ganay. He would be a formidable opponent for Azamour and Grey Swallow at their absolute best.
Ehsan's presence near the top of the Derby betting is strange considering his sole win came on a bog from horses who haven't franked the form since. He will have to beat Scorpion and Im Spartacus in some style in the Gallinule Stakes to justify that status and it could be beyond him.
