Hot Snap on song for 1000, but confidence behind several rivals

Hot Snap wins the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdulla, had a positive update on QIPCO 1000 Guineas favourite Hot Snap, who impressed when defeating Sky Lantern when in receipt of 3lbs in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes on the Rowley Mile two weeks ago.

Referring to her greenness and inexperience in the Nell Gwyn, which did not stop her running out an impressive winner, Grimthorpe said: "I think she has certainly come on since then. She definitely will need to, but her work was pretty professional on Saturday.

"Shane Fetherstonhaugh, who rode Frankel (in his work), rode her and was he very happy with her. She’s coming into the race in great shape.”

David Redvers, racing manager to Sheikh Fahad, whose company, QIPCO Holding, sponsors the Guineas Festival and owns Just The Judge, a leading fancy for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, said of their star filly:

"She looks like a lady amongst girls. She’s a big strong girl. She has an amazing length of stride. I think we’ve got the best chance we could ever have in the Guineas.”

Sheikh Fahad himself believes she may be better at a mile and a quarter and had news from Mikael Delzangles, who trains another leading fancy, What A Name, who is owned by another member of Sheikh Fahad’s family.

"I am getting very strong vibes,” said Sheikh Fahad. "I have never known him so bullish about a horse.”

Richard Hannon Jr had news on his stable’s pair, Sky Lantern and Maureen: "Sky Lantern looks very well. She worked very well on Sunday morning.

"Obviously she’ll be 3lbs better off with Prince Khalid Abdulla’s filly. Is that enough? It didn’t look like it would be at that time, but she has done very well since and she will be a lot fitter.”

On Maureen, he said: "You just get the impression she enjoys her racing. She has a great turn of foot. Whether she gets the mile remains to be seen. If she gets the mile she will run a big race.”

Aidan O’Brien said that he is likely to run two of his three entries in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Moth and Snow Queen, with Magical Dream likely to stay in Ireland.

On his main Guineas challenger, Moth, who won on her seasonal reappearance this year, he said: "We thought she was a very good filly as a two-year-old and never won. Her work was always exceptional.

"So obviously we didn’t really know what to expect on her first run this year and that was the first time she showed on the track what she’s shows us at home all the time. We were delighted with her first run.”

The QIPCO 1000 Guineas takes place at Newmarket this Sunday and it could be something exceptional. The race is due off at 3.50pm – don’t miss it!