Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial (Group 3) Preview

Leopardstown stages its annual Guineas Trials day on Sunday with both the colts and fillies getting a chance to impress before the Newmarket and Curragh equivalents later in the season. As always this early in the campaign, it is difficult to be confident regarding the fitness of several of these runners.

The Fillies Trial is a competitive event in which the current ante-post Oaks favourite You’ll Be Mine makes her reappearance. On her Fillies Mile run at Ascot last season the O’Brien runner is arguably the one to beat here but with Epsom in June her major target it will be a surprise if she is fully wound up for this event. The fact that stable jockey Johnny Murtagh goes with Famous is also a pointer to the likelihood that the former will be better for the race.

Lady Springbank is unlikely to prove the best filly in the lineup long-term but with the Deegan stable making a great start to the flat season she cannot be left out of calculations. The choice however is the Aga Khan-owned Karasiyra representing John Oxx. Fourth when very unlucky behind You’ll Be Mine on her debut, she then won her maiden over tomorrow’s course and – provided her fitness is sufficient – she looks the each-way call in a very difficult race.

Summary: Karasiyra is good enough to win this if fit enough while Lady Springbank could be the surprise if the higher rated fillies are in need of the outing.