Ramatuelle shares 1,000 Guineas favouritism with Fallen Angel as conditions quicken for second Classic

Conditions have quickened at Newmarket ahead of the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, with the going now good, good to firm in places after a dry morning, and the market for the big race is now headed by joint-favourites.

Notable Speech's 2,000 Guineas triumph on Saturday was held on good ground which was maintained overnight, but sunny weather on Sunday has improved the going after clerk of the course Andrew Morris walked the track shortly before 12.30pm. 

"There was a bit of dew this morning but that has burnt off and we look set fair for a sunny afternoon with temperatures of around 18C," Morris said. "They raced up the middle largely yesterday and they may well do again." 

The feature contest is the fourth race on the card and retains a full field headed by Moyglare winner Fallen Angel, who steps up to a mile on her seasonal debut for Karl Burke and Danny Tudhope.

However, Ramatuelle now shares 4-1 favouritism (from 8) after being been well backed to provide France with a first win in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas (3.40) for a decade. 

The daughter of Justify could make trainer Christopher Head the third generation of his family to land the mile contest, with his grandfather Alec winning in 1957 and his aunt Criquette claiming this race four times concluding with 2010 winner Special Duty. 

Despite failing to strike on her seasonal debut last month at Deauville, Ramatuelle has halved in price to win her first Group 1 contest, having failed by a neck to score on her final start as a two-year-old when denied by Vandeek in the Prix Morny.  

Ramatuelle (near) backed for Sunday's 1,000 Guineas for Christopher HeadCredit: Frederic Vernichon

Paddy Power's Paul Binfield said: "Favourite Fallen Angel is easy enough to back, but French raider Ramatuelle is proving an absolute sensation with punters for the Head dynasty despite being beaten at Deauville on her seasonal bow. If the support continues, it's not inconceivable that she could be at the front of the market by post time."

While Ramatuelle has been well supported, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Ylang Ylang was a notable drifter after City Of Troy's disappointing run on Saturday. 

The Ballydoyle colt was sent off an odds-on favourite but trailed home ninth in the 2,000 Guineas under Ryan Moore, and his ride for Sunday's Newmarket Classic has drifted to 8-1 after being as short at 5-1 yesterday. 

Like City Of Troy, Ylang Ylang ended her season on a Group 1 high after winning the bet365 Fillies' Mile in October and returns over course and distance as the sole representative in the race for Aidan O'Brien, who has won five of the last ten runnings. 

Market movers

3.00 Bague D'Or 6 (from 7), Kihavah 8 (from 10)
3.35 Ramatuelle 4 (from 8)
4.15 Lucky Gift 5 (from 17-2)

Non-runners

2.25 Novus (not eaten up)
3.00 Torcello (going)

Read more:

2024 1,000 Guineas: the runners, the odds, the verdict 

'Fallen Angel deserves to be favourite' - Karl Burke hoping star filly can provide him with a first British Classic

Electric Notable Speech leaves rivals toiling in 2,000 Guineas to put smile back on Charlie Appleby's face  

Sign up to receive The Ante-Postman, Robbie Wilders' top weekly newsletter. Get weekend tips, festival fancies and big-race selections delivered straight to your inbox.