Donnacha O'Brien has revealed that impressive Group 3 Athasi Stakes heroine Atsila will be supplemented for the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Tuesday entries stage.
Atsila did not make her debut until April this year when winning at Bellewstown before taking a massive step forward when landing the Athasi Stakes at the Curragh.
“The plan is to supplement her on Tuesday for the 1,000 Guineas,” O'Brien said. “Her form looks strong. To be fair to Barry [Fowler, owner] he is game for anything. It was my fault that I didn't have her in the race in the first place but he's more than happy to supplement and take a chance. I think she's entitled to be in the race.”
O'Brien also plans on being represented in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas by Comanche Brave after he pushed Henri Matisse close on his seasonal return. That form was boosted when Henri Matisse did the business in the French 2,000 Guineas.
“He is working very well and I think he'll probably outrun his odds,” O'Brien continued. “He's not a big horse but he's always worked like a very good horse. We're going to give him a chance in the Guineas.
“We could end up going back to seven [furlongs] for the Jersey at Ascot. He's working very well so I'm happy to let him take his chance.”
Stable star Porta Fortuna, a multiple Group 1 winner last year, is on course to return in the Lanwades Stud Stakes.
“She's going to go to the Lanwades. She's in good form. She put on plenty of weight. Everything has gone smooth with her but she's probably taken a bit longer to get fit this year. She's probably going to take the run and then go to Ascot but she's in great form so I'm looking forward to getting her back on track.”
O'Brien also mentioned that Falling Snow, by Justify out of Winter, would miss the 1,000 Guineas but should be back in the second half of the season.
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