Irish 1,000 Guineas clues may emerge as Agartha bids to enhance Classic claims

Sunday: 4.05 Leopardstown
Cornelscourt Stakes (Group 3) | 1m | 3yo fillies | ITV4/RTV

This Group 3 was a pointer to future Classic success 12 months ago, so don't be surprised if this year's running throws up another clue or two.

Joan Of Arc, a decisive winner of this last year, went on to finish a close second in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on her next start before landing the Prix de Diane, while the fifth Fantasy Lady was not beaten far when filling the same position behind the Ballydoyle filly in the Curragh Classic.

Panama Red: Irish Champions Weekend heroine back to bid for more Leopardstown successCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The ultra-dependable Agartha, trained by Joseph O'Brien, sets the standard this time around, having won the Group 3 Silver Flash and Group 2 Debutante Stakes last season before chasing home Discoveries in the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes.

Rated 109 – 7lb superior to her nearest rival on the figures Panama Red – the daughter of Caravaggio proved she has trained on well when a creditable second to Homeless Songs in the Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial here last month.

Fillies at this stage in their three-year-old season can improve considerably, though, and there are plenty of such likely candidates in the line-up, including the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair of History and Lullaby.

It would be highly surprising if they were not rated a fair deal higher than their current respective marks of 96 and 93 by the end of the season, while the Dermot Weld-trained Suwayra looked above average when winning on her debut here last July but has not been seen since.

History: impressed when getting off the mark at Gowran last SeptemberCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Panama Red, winner of the Listed Ingabelle Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend last year, ran wide when finishing four and a quarter lengths behind Agartha here last month and the margin between the pair should be closer this time around.

Agartha was drawn in stall nine then, with Panama Red in stall 12. However, the latter is much better drawn now in stall two, while the top-rated performer is in stall ten of 12 runners.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Agartha
We were delighted with her run in the trial last month when she was headed only late on and finished a close second. She's come out of that well and this has been the plan since.

Adrian Murray, trainer of Beautiful Sunshine and Princess Olly
We're expecting a good run from them both, and there probably isn't much between them. We always thought Princess Olly was a nice filly and Beautiful Sunshine seems to be in great form.

Suwappu: 'She's a rock-solid filly who is extremely straightforward'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of History and Lullaby
History won nicely at Gowran last season and is ready to start off. We liked Lullaby a lot last year but she wasn't able to get her head in front; maybe she was a bit weak. We were delighted to see her win nicely at Leopardstown and we think she's ready for another step up.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Nectaris
We'd love to get a bit of black type for her. She's won around the track before and seems to like the bend there.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Show Of Stars
The race possibly wasn't run to suit her last time at Navan but I think dropping to a mile should be in her favour and I think she'll like Leopardstown.

Darren Bunyan, trainer of Suwappu
She's a rock-solid filly who is extremely straightforward. She's probably improved more than we expected after winning on her debut at Dundalk.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Suwayra
It's her first run of the year. She's an inexperienced filly but I would love to get some black type for her.

Read Sunday's previews:

4.35 Leopardstown: 'This was always the plan' - analysis and quotes for another key Derby trial

5.05 Leopardstown: 'We think he's progressing' - Aidan O'Brien-trained Ivy League seeking hat-trick

5.18 Hamilton: 'That's not ideal' - how will the draw impact on a fast and furious sprint?

6.18 Hamilton: 'The prize-money is so good' - which stayer can claim Hamilton riches?

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