Classic shake-up as longtime favourite Inspiral ruled out of 1,000 Guineas

Aidan O'Brien's grip on the Qipco 1,000 Guineas tightened on Sunday after long-time ante-post favourite Inspiral was ruled out of the Classic by joint-trainer John Gosden.

Inspiral had been supplanted as favourite for the Group 1 on Friday by the O'Brien-trained Tenebrism after Chris Richardson, managing director to Inspiral's owner Cheveley Park Stud, had talked of the spring not being "100 per cent straightforward".

The news on Sunday – revealed by the Racing Post – of Inspiral's absence prompted bookmakers to cut Tenebrism, last year's Cheveley Park Stakes winner, to 5-2 (from 3-1). O'Brien is also responsible for Tuesday, the 8-1 fourth favourite, as the trainer seeks his sixth victory in the race in the last seven years.

With Inspiral ruled out, who are our tipsters backing for the 1,000 Guineas?

Gosden revealed that Inspiral, last year's unbeaten champion two-year-old filly, would not be confirmed on Monday for the first fillies' Classic following discussions with Richardson and Cheveley Park owner Patricia Thompson.

"Having consulted Mrs Thompson and Chris Richardson, a decision has been made not to run Inspiral in the 1,000 Guineas," said Gosden, who trains along with son Thady.

"She missed some days training at a critical stage of her preparation and although she is well in herself now, we don't have her at the correct pitch to run in the Guineas."

John Gosden: 'Obviously we had to make the right decision for the filly'Credit: Laura Green

Speaking exclusively to the Racing Post, he added: "The focus now will be on the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, with probably a run beforehand. Obviously we had to make the right decision for the filly."

Inspiral won four times last season, landing the Listed Star Stakes at Sandown before progressing to take the Group 2 May Hill and the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.

The daughter of Frankel had been confirmed alongside 20 others for the 1,000 Guineas on Wednesday, although outsiders Rosacea and Who Knows have since been scratched prior to Monday's confirmation stage.

With Inspiral not lining up on May 1, the betting is dominated by horses trained in Ireland, with Discoveries and Homeless Songs also at single-figure odds along with the O'Brien pair.

Discoveries, last year's Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner, was the subject of a positive bulletin from her rider Shane Foley. He said the Jessica Harrington-trained 6-1 second favourite heads to the 1,000 Guineas with a leading chance.

“Discoveries has been pleasing us at home," Foley said. "She only goes through the motions but seems to have done well and has got strong physically. She's done very well from two to three, she goes there with Group 1 form and has to have a big chance."

Discoveries: on course for NewmarketCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: “It would be massive [to ride a British Classic winner]. I’ve won a couple of Guineas in Ireland but to go and win one in Newmarket would be unbelievable.”

Mise En Scene and Cachet are the shortest-priced British-trained fillies in betting for the Classic.

Inspiral's absence was labelled "disappointing" by David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, although he conceded it boosted the chance of the operation's filly Mise En Scene, who is a 11-1 shot.

"It's disappointing for the race and the sponsor that Inspiral, who was the best two-year-old last year, won't be turning up," he said. "Hopefully we'll see her later in the season but it certainly gives us a better chance."

Cachet is around a 14-1 shot following her success in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket during the Craven meeting.

George Boughey, who trains the filly for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: “I personally think she stays the mile. I think in the Guineas she could take on fillies that stay the mile better and might be ten-furlong horses which might make her look like she doesn’t stay as well, but I’d be pretty hopeful she stays the trip.

“She's a well-balanced filly and loves it at Newmarket. She's not been out of the first three on all her starts at the Rowley Mile having won her maiden, finished second in the Rockfel and third in the Fillies’ Mile. That's got to be a huge help.”

Qipco 1,000 Guineas betting

William Hill: 11-4 Tenebrism, 6 Discoveries, Homeless Songs, 7 Tuesday, 8 Malavath, Zellie, 11 Mise En Scene, 14 Cachet, Wild Beauty, 16 bar

Qipco 1,000 Guineas entries and betting

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