Confirmed runners and riders for the Irish 1,000 Guineas - plus an early pick

Last year's leading juvenile filly Pretty Gorgeous will make her seasonal return in Sunday's Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh and heads a final field of 14 for the Classic.

The daughter of Lawman won three of her five starts as a two-year-old last season, including when victorious in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in October, but missed the Qipco 1,000 Guineas due to an unsatisfactory scope.

However, the 2020 Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Filly has been declared to make her reappearance in the Tattersalls-sponsored Irish equivalent and will be ridden by regular jockey Shane Crosse, who will seek a first Classic success of his career.

Joseph O'Brien also saddles Sense Of Style and Thinking Of You in a three-strong attack in a race he has yet to win as either a trainer or a jockey.

Irish 1,000 Guineas card and betting

Qipco 1,000 Guineas third Fev Rover makes the trip across from Britain for Richard Fahey, while the Ken Condon-trained Miss Amulet bids for Classic compensation, having been ruled out of the French equivalent last weekend.

Aidan O'Brien, seeking a record-extending tenth victory in the race, relies on Joan Of Arc, Friendly and Empress Josephine, but his son Donnacha will not be represented, with Shale the most notable absentee from the final field.

Wait for Love goes on

The wait to see last year's star filly Love continues as she was not declared for the Tattersalls Gold Cup (2.40) on the 1,000 Guineas undercard, with O'Brien keen to avoid starting her off for the season on bottomless ground.

Last year's Oaks heroine has not been seen since winning the Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor festival last August and did not feature among the final field of eight in the 1m2½f Group 1.

O'Brien said: "The plan was to start Love off on Sunday at the Curragh, but we didn't want to start her off on bottomless ground.

"She will probably head straight to the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot now, and there is the Eclipse to think about at Sandown as well.

There were few there to see her do it but Love was magnificent in the Yorkshire OaksCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We're very happy with her and she's done very well over the winter. She's ready to run, but with the way the ground is we decided not to go to the Curragh."

O'Brien still holds a strong hand as he seeks a fourth consecutive victory in the race, headlined by runaway Derby winner Serpentine, Broome and Melbourne Cup second Tiger Moth.

Dual Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song has also been declared, as has the Jessica Harrington-trained Cayenne Pepper.

Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas card must pass a 7.30 inspection on raceday morning following heavy rain at the track.

Irish 1,000 Guineas runners and riders

Belle Image Robbie Colgan
Empress JosephineSeamie Heffernan
Fantasy LadyBilly Lee
Fev RoverPaul Hanagan
FriendlyWayne Lordan
Joan Of ArcRyan Moore
Miss AmuletColin Keane
No Speak AlexanderShane Foley
Pretty GorgeousShane Crosse
Sense of StyleDeclan McDonogh
Sweet GardeniaOisin Orr
SzigetJoey Sheridan
Thinking Of YouGary Halpin
Zaffy's PrideTom Madden

Tattersalls Gold Cup runners and riders

BroomeRyan Moore
Helvic DreamColin Keane
SerpentineWayne Lordan
SunchartAndrew Slattery
Tiger MothSeamie Heffernan
Cayenne PepperShane Foley
Search For A SongOisin Orr
True SelfHollie Doyle

Pedigree punting: Irish 1,000 Guineas verdict

In terms of pedigree at least, it is hard to look beyond the claims of as she bids to become the latest top-notch filly for the Aidan O'Brien-Coolmore axis. In the absence of Mehmah, who defeated the daughter of Galileo and brilliant producer You'resothrilling in the Guineas Trial, she can step forward again from her recent Group 3 success here.

Joan Of Arc: has sound claims this weekendCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A sister to European champion Gleneagles – a dual Guineas winner – as well as top-level scorers Marvellous and Happily, Joan Of Arc is bred to be a Classic winner and she is rapidly improving after only four starts. A narrow second on her only start at two, she won on soft ground at the Curragh in March and bounced back from a sixth behind Keeper Of Time to land her first Group success at Leopardstown.

Extraordinarily, she became her dam's seventh black-type offspring from seven to have made the track – the only one not to win a black-type race was Vatican City and he was second to Siskin in last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Kitty Trice, Racing Post bloodstock reporter

Read more top stories:

Irish 2,000 Guineas day in doubt as Curragh calls inspection after heavy rain

Confirmed runners and riders for the Irish 2,000 Guineas – plus an early tip

One-year ban for Near Kettering owners over lay bets placed against their horse

Martyn Meade eager to get Derby prep run into 'serious horse' Gloucestershire

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets