Aidan O'Brien has confirmed Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh, with the stable's Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) ruled out on Friday morning due to an unsatisfactory blood test. As a result, Derrick Smith's impressive G1 1000 Guineas heroine will bid to become only the third filly to complete the Classic double after Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) in 2004 and Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr. Greeley) three years later. “Obviously it was a change of heart when Ballydoyle's blood came in wrong this morning,” O'Brien said. “Out of all the runners that we had done this morning, just the two of them were wrong, her and Vancouver [an intended runner in the G2 Greenlands S.].”
Minding's inclusion creates a one-sided look to the race, but Qatar Racing Limited's acquisition Now Or Never (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) is one to respect after her authoritative win in Leopardstown's G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial over this trip May 8. Trainer Michael O'Callaghan is looking forward to the challenge, especially after Kieren Fallon's recent claims that she is as good as any of his 1000 Guineas winners, Russian Rhythm aside. “Kieren loves the filly and believes a lot in her, so it's great he keeps the ride,” the Curragh trainer explained. “I'd have no doubt she'll get the straight mile at the Curragh. She's second favourite and we think she's a massive chance.”
The least-exposed in the line-up is Hadi Al-Tajir's Naas maiden winner Cool Thunder (Ire) (Shamardal), a fascinating contender with trainer Kevin Prendergast keen to test her despite her lack of a prep or even a seasonal outing. “Going up in trip would be the worry for her, but she's in good shape,” he said. “She was very good when she won in Naas and I'm hoping she'll run a good race.”
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