Unbeaten Qabala heads 15 runers in QIPCO 1000 Guineas

Qabala, left, has won both her races at Newmarket. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Impressive Nell Gwyn winner Qabala heads a field of 15 declared for the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday..

The daughter of Scat Daddy defeated her Roger Varian-trained stablemate Mot Juste at the Craven meeting, and the pair are set to square up again in the fillies’ Classic over the Rowley Mile on Sunday.  It is the second race in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series.

Aidan O’Brien has four chances, headed by Rockfel Stakes scorer Just Wonderful, as Ireland’s champion trainer bids to register his fifth win in the race. Fairyland, Fleeting and Hermosa complete his team.

O’Brien’s son Joseph has a leading contender in Iridessa, winner of the Fillies’ Mile in the autumn and third on her reappearance at Leopardstown.

Sheila Lavery’s Lady Kaya, who had Iridessa back in third when taking the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial, is in the mix.

The other Irish contender is Skitter Scatter, now with John Oxx after a glorious juvenile campaign for Patrick Prendergast that culminated in victory over Lady Kaya in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

Richard Hannon, who struck with 66-1 outsider Billesdon Brook last year, is represented by Star Terms.

Completing the list are Angel’s Hideaway, Dandhu, Garrel Glen, Iconic Choice and Look Around.

The only withdrawal at the 48-hour final declaration stage was Antonia de Vega.

Last year’s 1000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook returns to action in the Charm Spirit Dahlia Stakes on the same card.

Without a win since her surprise Classic success, Billesdon Brook nevertheless ran with credit in races such as Royal Ascot’s Coronation Stakes, the Nassau at Goodwood and the Sun Chariot here.

Richard Hannon’s filly has no penalty to carry on Sunday but she faces a stern rival in the shape of Sir Michael Stoute’s Veracious, third in the Coronation and the Nassau before winning a Group Three.