1000 Guineas at Newmarket

May 25, 2007 - Janine Sorenson Finsceal Beo looked a cut-above her rivals when lading the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket at the beginning of the month, but she’s subsequently tasted defeat in the French equivalent and I reckon she’ll be vulnerable to the filly that chased her home at Newmarket, Arch Swing, when they renew rivalry in the boylesports.com Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh on Sunday.
 
The connections of Finsceal Beo should be applauded for their courage in bidding to rattle up a hat-trick of Classics with the daughter of Mr Greeley, although their audacious bid was foiled at the second hurdle by Darjina in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, a defeat which was made all the more agonising by the fact that she was beaten just a head by the latter in a thrilling finish.
 
However, an English-Irish Guineas double would still be a heck of an achievement – only Attraction has landed both in the last decade – but, for all that she was thought to not be 100 per cent following her reverse at Longchamp, it’s a big ask for her two run in three Classics within the space of a month, and Arch Swing, 11/4 with Betfred, can reverse the Newmarket placings.
 
On the face of it, John Oxx’s filly has plenty to find having been beaten two and a half length’s by Jim Bolger’s charge on the Rowley Mile. It’s worth noting, though, that virtually every winner on the card at the Suffolk track on 1000 Guineas day came up the rail, suggesting that there was a better strip of ground. It certainly wasn’t a coincidence, that’s for sure.
 
Arch Swing was drawn high and was forced to come down the centre of the course and, as an inexperienced horse has a propensity to do under such circumstances, she hung under pressure, meanwhile Finsceal Beo had the benefit of the rail to run against. I am not trying to take anything away from the winner, as she did it decisively enough irrespective of any potential bias.
 
But Arch Swing will have learnt plenty from that experience and the slightly easier surface which she will encounter at The Curragh will be a help. The form of the selection’s victory in the Guineas trial at Leopardstown in April was given a timely boost by the runner-up, Four Sins, who easily landed a Group 3 at Naas next time out.
 
Treat ran a cracking race at Newmarket beaten just over five lengths into fourth. There's more to come from the daughter of Barathea and, if the forecast rain arrives, that will certainly be in her favour. But I get the feeling that she'll come into her own over slightly further; she would be an interesting contender in something like the French Oaks next month, which is run over a mile and a quarter.
 
Alexander Tango has a good each-way chance. She had plenty in hand when beating Nell Gwyn by three lengths in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. Like Treat, she will stay further than a mile, but she isn't short of pace and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised to see her get involved. The remainder, headed by Aidan O'Brien's Peeping Fawn, need to improve beyond recognition to have an impact at this level.
 
Verdict - 2pts Arch Swing @ 11/4 (Betfred)

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